The film I just watched runs about 51 minutes. Apparently some of the film was lost from the original. It could be chemistry or carelessness. Who knows. So we've lost some scenes. It does make the film a bit disjointed, but if you know your AIW plot, you can still enjoy it. What works here is the costuming. The creation of costumes to match the book characters works very well. Alice is flippant enough to be a bit obnoxious, which is what we want. For what starts out as a gentle little girl, can be quite formidable. I really like the appearance of the mock turtle. The use of close-ups would have helped because we don't get a full appreciation of these characters. Still and all, it was a marvelous film for such an early venture and most of it survived.
15 Reviews
Nice Rendering
arfdawg-12 June 2020
1915 version. Way better than the silent one with Larry Semen. Nifty characters in elaborate costumes. Don't look for blow you out of the water special effect. This was made over 100 years ago. But still it's very fun to watch.
In fact, i think it's also way better than Tim Burton's version
In fact, i think it's also way better than Tim Burton's version
A Breezy Canter Through the Children's Classic
richardchatten8 February 2017
This early feature-length adaptation of the children's classic canters briskly through Lewis Carroll's book, progressing episode by episode from one well-remembered tableau to another and sticking satisfactorily faithfully to the events, imagery and strangeness of the original (the latter two elements through skillful costume design and by making liberal use of verbatim passages of Carroll's dialogue on the title cards).
A.A.Young's direction occasionally threatens to be more visually inventive than it ever actually is; and he rather loses control during the croquet game, when he plainly didn't know visually how to organise all those extras milling about the screen for its duration.
Although there are a few special effects, the decision to film most of the action out of doors in attractive rural settings and on the coast greatly enhances the charm of the piece. The more fantastic elements of the original are conveyed with the help of imaginatively designed settings and props like the oversized signpost to Wonderland and the enormous mushrooms among which we find the caterpillar smoking his hookah. It's to whoever designed the costumes that the greatest kudos are undoubtedly due. The costumes for the actors portraying the Duchess and the Mock Turtle deserve particular mention; while the lobsters emerging from the ocean to dance the Lobster Quadrille resemble something from a sixties sci-fi movie.
Rangy fifteen year-old Viola Savoy's Alice ambles through the far-fetched proceedings with appropriately nonchalant good humour.
A.A.Young's direction occasionally threatens to be more visually inventive than it ever actually is; and he rather loses control during the croquet game, when he plainly didn't know visually how to organise all those extras milling about the screen for its duration.
Although there are a few special effects, the decision to film most of the action out of doors in attractive rural settings and on the coast greatly enhances the charm of the piece. The more fantastic elements of the original are conveyed with the help of imaginatively designed settings and props like the oversized signpost to Wonderland and the enormous mushrooms among which we find the caterpillar smoking his hookah. It's to whoever designed the costumes that the greatest kudos are undoubtedly due. The costumes for the actors portraying the Duchess and the Mock Turtle deserve particular mention; while the lobsters emerging from the ocean to dance the Lobster Quadrille resemble something from a sixties sci-fi movie.
Rangy fifteen year-old Viola Savoy's Alice ambles through the far-fetched proceedings with appropriately nonchalant good humour.
This was the first significant version.
Cipher-J11 November 2002
Finding a recorded copy may be hard to do, but not impossible. There are at least two versions that have survived from the original, both lasting approximately forty minutes. The original was a six-reeler, or about an hour long, which may also have included scenes from the "Through the Looking Glass" story. Minimally, what has survived is missing the defining scene early in the story where Alice grows very big and than small, then later the Mad Hatter scene. We know that these scenes were originally included because Grosset & Dunlap published a book version in 1916, illustrated with pictures from this film. This shows that in addition there was also an Oyster, Humpty Dumpty, Tweedledee and Tweedledum, chess room, and a Queen Alice Banquet scene, but whether as part of this film or another is not clear.
Viola Savoy was fifteen years old at the time, and a well known child actress for having toured the nation for several years in the road-show version of "The Littlest Rebel." Whether she was the first to perform the role of Virgie in that play, or not, clearly she was the most popular, which fact contributed to her being cast as Alice in this film. As interviewed in 1912 she had been acting since infancy in over one hundred and twenty different productions. After the "Alice" film, however, she appeared in no more than one or two more films before disappearing from the pages of history.
Attempting to evaluate the quality of a circa 1915 "photoplay" rather assumes too much. The industry was yet very young. The notion of "close-up" photography was only beginning to be experimented with and hence, more often, the camera just cranked away from a fixed position, rather like someone sitting in the audience of a typical stage play. While plenty of creativity went into the costuming and set design for this film, the camera remains conspicuous for its lack of imagination. Everything is shot from a distance, and as a result, often there is too much going on to keep track of, and the more subtle features cannot be seen. The nuances of facial expression, therefore, have a forced and exaggerated quality which does nothing to flatter the actress. Additionally, the restricted camera position forces her to be upstaged in all too many scenes. Even so, it is a hauntingly captivating film, delightful to see.
Viola Savoy was fifteen years old at the time, and a well known child actress for having toured the nation for several years in the road-show version of "The Littlest Rebel." Whether she was the first to perform the role of Virgie in that play, or not, clearly she was the most popular, which fact contributed to her being cast as Alice in this film. As interviewed in 1912 she had been acting since infancy in over one hundred and twenty different productions. After the "Alice" film, however, she appeared in no more than one or two more films before disappearing from the pages of history.
Attempting to evaluate the quality of a circa 1915 "photoplay" rather assumes too much. The industry was yet very young. The notion of "close-up" photography was only beginning to be experimented with and hence, more often, the camera just cranked away from a fixed position, rather like someone sitting in the audience of a typical stage play. While plenty of creativity went into the costuming and set design for this film, the camera remains conspicuous for its lack of imagination. Everything is shot from a distance, and as a result, often there is too much going on to keep track of, and the more subtle features cannot be seen. The nuances of facial expression, therefore, have a forced and exaggerated quality which does nothing to flatter the actress. Additionally, the restricted camera position forces her to be upstaged in all too many scenes. Even so, it is a hauntingly captivating film, delightful to see.
Charming early cinematic version of the famous story
Red-Barracuda22 July 2013
This very early cinematic version of the Alice in Wonderland story is well worth tracking down if you are a fan of the silent era. I don't really know the Lewis Carroll story very well so I don't know how faithful this adaption is but, like a lot of other very old movies, this one is seemingly not entirely intact and 20 minutes or so of footage has been lost. This sort of explains the fact that the story doesn't always seem to entirely make sense and it isn't always easy to follow. One of the most famous characters in the story, the Mad Hatter, only appears in the last five minutes for a very brief and seemingly irrelevant scene. He, like other characters, featured more in the original cut and his short cameo is all that's left. While it is a shame that the movie is missing a lot of material, it actually doesn't really matter that much in this case. The story is so dream-like and bizarre in the first place meaning that this truncated version just seems even weirder than it originally would. So it doesn't really harm the film too much.
Probably the best thing about this one is the effort that has been put into the costuming and creature design. They are consistently very well done and it is this more than anything that gives the fantasy world its character. The direction otherwise is a bit static, although this was quite common in these very early years of cinema. However, when you consider the sheer invention of the films of the even earlier cinema pioneer Georges Méliès, you do have to think that a little more imagination could have been brought to bear in some of the scenes. But, really, it's a little churlish to criticise this one as these ancient films have a charm that will never die. Definitely worth catching.
Probably the best thing about this one is the effort that has been put into the costuming and creature design. They are consistently very well done and it is this more than anything that gives the fantasy world its character. The direction otherwise is a bit static, although this was quite common in these very early years of cinema. However, when you consider the sheer invention of the films of the even earlier cinema pioneer Georges Méliès, you do have to think that a little more imagination could have been brought to bear in some of the scenes. But, really, it's a little churlish to criticise this one as these ancient films have a charm that will never die. Definitely worth catching.
100 years old!
ericstevenson5 May 2016
Well, this is the oldest movie I've ever reviewed and probably the oldest one I ever WILL review. As the first version of "Alice In Wonderland" (at least in terms of a feature length film, well by most standards) it's still nice to see where it all started out. I admit that the costumes in this are quite impressive. Even looking at movies made in the 1920's, you can tell that their special effects got better as it went on. We make a lot of progress quickly! Anyway, I feel bad for not being more familiar with the original book. I can't tell if this version is more faithful or not.
The Mock Turtle looks probably the best. There were some really creepy masks the people wore, but luckily, they only appeared for a few scenes. I'm still confused as to why Alice said she never saw a grin without a cat. The Cheshire Cat still had his head in that shot! I'm not sure if it was all meant to be a dream. It's always nice to see a lot of classic elements show up. I wouldn't quite recommend this, because it doesn't really have anything that noteworthy. It's still pretty significant. It can certainly be hard to tell a lot of story in such a short running time. **1/2 out of ****.
The Mock Turtle looks probably the best. There were some really creepy masks the people wore, but luckily, they only appeared for a few scenes. I'm still confused as to why Alice said she never saw a grin without a cat. The Cheshire Cat still had his head in that shot! I'm not sure if it was all meant to be a dream. It's always nice to see a lot of classic elements show up. I wouldn't quite recommend this, because it doesn't really have anything that noteworthy. It's still pretty significant. It can certainly be hard to tell a lot of story in such a short running time. **1/2 out of ****.
We Enter the Feature Length Era of Alice
PCC092127 February 2023
Much like the 1910 version, Alice in Wonderland (1915), also begins with Alice's mother, reading to her in the woods. Alice falls asleep and enters into Wonderland. Only half of the original film exists and it is already 52 minutes long. It should be almost two hours long. This film is the first film to combine Alice's main adventures, also with the plot found in the book, Through the Looking Glass (1871). That addition is the part of the film, that is mostly missing. It is another sad reminder of the fragility of film stock. We are entering the feature length, epic film phase of the silent era. It is an era made famous by directors like, D. W. Griffith. The lengths of the movies were starting to get longer, as the film industry began to mature. It was the growth of filmmaking, showing itself, as it moved through the second decade of the 20th century.
With the feature-length era of motion pictures here, there are a lot of new characters, found in Alice in Wonderland (1915). This film is also darker than the other films. It taps into that side of the Alice story, which separated it slightly from the family-version you are used to. This time, the special effects are questionable, but the costumes are improving, especially the White Rabbit. The White Rabbit has had a tough time with the costumes, that were depicted in the previous film adaptations. This film does improve on that though. Some of the other characters' costumes however, humorously look, somewhat like, Mardi Gras costumes. Alice in Wonderland (1915), is a little boring for a film, that was supposed to be two hours long. We only have 52 minutes of it, so beware. The complete film might be boring too if it ever resurfaces. From what we do have today, it looks like the filmmakers haven't quite gotten there yet. They are however very close to making a great Alice film eventually. Let's see what the talkie era brings us.
6.4 (D+ MyGrade) = 6 IMDB.
With the feature-length era of motion pictures here, there are a lot of new characters, found in Alice in Wonderland (1915). This film is also darker than the other films. It taps into that side of the Alice story, which separated it slightly from the family-version you are used to. This time, the special effects are questionable, but the costumes are improving, especially the White Rabbit. The White Rabbit has had a tough time with the costumes, that were depicted in the previous film adaptations. This film does improve on that though. Some of the other characters' costumes however, humorously look, somewhat like, Mardi Gras costumes. Alice in Wonderland (1915), is a little boring for a film, that was supposed to be two hours long. We only have 52 minutes of it, so beware. The complete film might be boring too if it ever resurfaces. From what we do have today, it looks like the filmmakers haven't quite gotten there yet. They are however very close to making a great Alice film eventually. Let's see what the talkie era brings us.
6.4 (D+ MyGrade) = 6 IMDB.
One of the earliest Alice adventures
Bernie444424 April 2024
There are earlier versions but this one is one that is used as a measure for other versions. I watch the streaming version and contemplating purchasing a DVD-R.
Viola Savoy (at 15 years old looks like 20s) as Alice - Herbert Rice as White Rabbit - Harry Marks as The Dodo Bird - Louis Merkle as The Dormouse - Lotta Savoy as Alice's Mother - William Tilden as The Mad Hatter -
No credits for lions, owls, bears, and lizards. Not even Cheshire Cats.
No credits for the King or Queen of hearts.
The filming location is Long Island, New York, USA (wooded estate where exteriors were filmed). The only Long Island I saw looked like suburbia.
No obnoxious background music and very readable intertitles.
"Things we do and things we see shortly before we fall asleep are most apt to influence our Dreams."
Alice meets all kinds of critters just before she sleeps. Then with a little double exposure she is lured by a white rabbit carrying an umbrella. There is actually a sine pointing to Wonderland.
"She Looked along a passage into the loveliest garden you ever saw. But she couldn't get through so she cried, and cried, and then ---"
Well, we all know or should know the story so I will not give anything away.
Well alright, there is another sign pointing to the Animal convention. It is over the river and through the woods.
The version I watched had only 52 minutes. No telling what is missing. However, they did include the "Father William" Poem of which I completely forgot. As with this story that is a play on words, this poem mocks societal norms and expectations related to aging.
We get:
"Well! I've often seen a cat without a grin: but never before a grin without a cat!" I know that was meant to be clever however I have a black cat and in the middle of the night see a grin without a cat.
Another one I forget and had to rewind was:
Alice - How many hours a day did you do Lessons?
Mock turtle - Ten hours the first day, nine the next , and so on. That's the reason They're called lessons, because they lessen from day to day.
Moral of the story is If you fall asleep do not be a victim of Card-iack arrest. And do not lose your tart.
Viola Savoy (at 15 years old looks like 20s) as Alice - Herbert Rice as White Rabbit - Harry Marks as The Dodo Bird - Louis Merkle as The Dormouse - Lotta Savoy as Alice's Mother - William Tilden as The Mad Hatter -
No credits for lions, owls, bears, and lizards. Not even Cheshire Cats.
No credits for the King or Queen of hearts.
The filming location is Long Island, New York, USA (wooded estate where exteriors were filmed). The only Long Island I saw looked like suburbia.
No obnoxious background music and very readable intertitles.
"Things we do and things we see shortly before we fall asleep are most apt to influence our Dreams."
Alice meets all kinds of critters just before she sleeps. Then with a little double exposure she is lured by a white rabbit carrying an umbrella. There is actually a sine pointing to Wonderland.
"She Looked along a passage into the loveliest garden you ever saw. But she couldn't get through so she cried, and cried, and then ---"
Well, we all know or should know the story so I will not give anything away.
Well alright, there is another sign pointing to the Animal convention. It is over the river and through the woods.
The version I watched had only 52 minutes. No telling what is missing. However, they did include the "Father William" Poem of which I completely forgot. As with this story that is a play on words, this poem mocks societal norms and expectations related to aging.
We get:
"Well! I've often seen a cat without a grin: but never before a grin without a cat!" I know that was meant to be clever however I have a black cat and in the middle of the night see a grin without a cat.
Another one I forget and had to rewind was:
Alice - How many hours a day did you do Lessons?
Mock turtle - Ten hours the first day, nine the next , and so on. That's the reason They're called lessons, because they lessen from day to day.
Moral of the story is If you fall asleep do not be a victim of Card-iack arrest. And do not lose your tart.
(Un)Natural Book Illustrations
Cineanalyst2 August 2020
This is the third and, thus far at least, last silent film adaptation of Lewis Carroll's Alice books that I've seen, and while Alice's adventures are the richest literature marketed to children I know, I don't think highly of these silent-picture illustrations. The 1903 and 1910 versions were significantly abridged, but this one largely transcribes the entire plot of Carroll's first book, "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland," and even adds to it. Perhaps the most interesting insertion is the considerable amount of foreshadowing while Alice is first awake. Otherwise, the production is mostly pedestrian--employing stage costumes in the fashion of John Tenniel's original designs from the page and generally butchering Carroll's words with the overly-abundant title cards. One notable exception, however, is the use of natural landscapes, as opposed to the stage-bound look of some other screen iterations.
The outer narrative here is all foreshadowing. Alice loiters about as a woman makes tarts on a summer day and adds pepper to boiling soup. Alice's sister, then, recommends they play a game of hearts, which they don't. Instead, they walk about, as Alice picks up a rabbit and finds her cat Dinah up on a tree, among other incidents involving animals. A title card reads, "Things we do and things we see shortly before we fall asleep are most apt to influence our dreams." You don't say.
There are at least a couple different versions of this film floating around nowadays, which makes sense as what remains of the picture would've benefited from even more editing. The lengthy shots of the White Rabbit and others leading Alice from here to there make the plot tediously easy to follow. Moreover, intertitles such as, "Come On!," when the character is already gesticulating to Alice and holding her hand to indicate that they are leading her to the next static scene. Probably the most needless example of this continuity padding are the signs pointing the way to Wonderland and other destinations. There are even insert medium shots of the White Rabbit and, then, Alice as they stand next to the "Wonderland" sign, seemingly struggling to comprehend what the marker could possibly mean. On the other hand, this does seem to be a rare edition to feature the "You Are Old, Father William" poem visually.
Besides the clutter, this "Alice in Wonderland" stands out for its scenes taking place in natural landscapes. While this helps prevent a picture that largely consists of static shot-scenes from being overly stagy, one drawback is the effect of the superimpositions against relatively clear horizons. One such multiple-exposure shot has Alice leaving her body, as she sleeps, to follow the white rabbit and another features the Cheshire Cat's grin; both are largely illegible. Considering the fact that the likes of Georges Méliès and George Albert Smith had been employing this trick in film since 1898, including with white backgrounds not long thereafter, I'm not inclined to forgive the ineffectualness of the special effects here. Despite being set in nature, there's something unnatural, too, about a silent film adaptation of a book that is remarkable for its clever wordplay and a plotting that goes to pains to be simple to follow, from a book that is celebrated for its nonsense.
The outer narrative here is all foreshadowing. Alice loiters about as a woman makes tarts on a summer day and adds pepper to boiling soup. Alice's sister, then, recommends they play a game of hearts, which they don't. Instead, they walk about, as Alice picks up a rabbit and finds her cat Dinah up on a tree, among other incidents involving animals. A title card reads, "Things we do and things we see shortly before we fall asleep are most apt to influence our dreams." You don't say.
There are at least a couple different versions of this film floating around nowadays, which makes sense as what remains of the picture would've benefited from even more editing. The lengthy shots of the White Rabbit and others leading Alice from here to there make the plot tediously easy to follow. Moreover, intertitles such as, "Come On!," when the character is already gesticulating to Alice and holding her hand to indicate that they are leading her to the next static scene. Probably the most needless example of this continuity padding are the signs pointing the way to Wonderland and other destinations. There are even insert medium shots of the White Rabbit and, then, Alice as they stand next to the "Wonderland" sign, seemingly struggling to comprehend what the marker could possibly mean. On the other hand, this does seem to be a rare edition to feature the "You Are Old, Father William" poem visually.
Besides the clutter, this "Alice in Wonderland" stands out for its scenes taking place in natural landscapes. While this helps prevent a picture that largely consists of static shot-scenes from being overly stagy, one drawback is the effect of the superimpositions against relatively clear horizons. One such multiple-exposure shot has Alice leaving her body, as she sleeps, to follow the white rabbit and another features the Cheshire Cat's grin; both are largely illegible. Considering the fact that the likes of Georges Méliès and George Albert Smith had been employing this trick in film since 1898, including with white backgrounds not long thereafter, I'm not inclined to forgive the ineffectualness of the special effects here. Despite being set in nature, there's something unnatural, too, about a silent film adaptation of a book that is remarkable for its clever wordplay and a plotting that goes to pains to be simple to follow, from a book that is celebrated for its nonsense.
Even for silent film fans, this is tough going
MissSimonetta1 September 2020
I'm in the minority on this one. Likely due to both the nature of the source material and the fragmented nature of the existing print, this movie is extremely choppy. The cinematography is rather static and unvaried, even for 1915. I love silent films and am totally a person who will watch "of historical interest" only movies, but I confess I didn't enjoy this very much at all, save for the unintentionally horrifying costumes and masks worn by the denizens of Wonderland-- they come off like something out of a David Lynch nightmare.
Wonderful for 1915.
planktonrules4 December 2012
Before I jump into the review, I have a confession. Although I've seen several versions of "Alice in Wonderland", I really think it's a pretty stupid story and I've never particularly enjoyed it. However, I am a huge silent movie fan and this film is available to watch for free from the IMDb link, so I broke down and watched this film. At 42 minutes, it might seem awfully short, but for 1915 that actually is a full-length film.
Unlike later versions, I will admit that this 1915 version is much more episodic--almost like vignettes strung together instead of a smooth story. However, I was VERY impressed by the film for several reasons. Using 1915 technology, it would have been hard to make a better film with better props and better costumes. I was blown away by how much the characters looked like those in the books. Because of this, it's obvious it was not just a cheap slapped-together film but one with a considerable budget for the time. While kids would probably be bored to tears by this film, old movie buffs won't and will probably appreciate this simple but enjoyable version. I still don't love the story, but this is awfully good for what it is.
Unlike later versions, I will admit that this 1915 version is much more episodic--almost like vignettes strung together instead of a smooth story. However, I was VERY impressed by the film for several reasons. Using 1915 technology, it would have been hard to make a better film with better props and better costumes. I was blown away by how much the characters looked like those in the books. Because of this, it's obvious it was not just a cheap slapped-together film but one with a considerable budget for the time. While kids would probably be bored to tears by this film, old movie buffs won't and will probably appreciate this simple but enjoyable version. I still don't love the story, but this is awfully good for what it is.
Interesting
majulf8619 June 2014
It takes some time getting used to silent movies. There's not a lot of text in this film, so the "over acting" according to today's standards, require some patience of the viewer. However, this is a well thought out version of the story, the scenes are played out with trick effects such as perspective, and remembering the year of production, it's very well made. The only thing that really bothered me was the treatment of animals, both real, such as the garden rabbit, and the (I assume) fake, such as the flamingo and hedgehog. Otherwise, a movie well worth watching, especially if you're a Lewis Carroll/Alice-fan. Time well spent.
Quaint. Not Half Bad As A Adaptation
johnstonjames20 March 2012
Warning: Spoilers
i enjoyed this. but i usually enjoy most approaches on this subject since i find Lewis Carroll irresistible and fascinating history. i also really find silent cinema a lot of fun history too.
this was a really cute old silent. i don't think it was great cinema or D.W. Griffith or anything like that. it was actually pretty typical for the time period. aside from the goofy monsters and elaborate costumes. even the silent version of 'Peter Pan' was better cinema than this, and 'Pan' itself is a little pedestrian and unoriginal at times. but like the silent 'Pan' film, this is mostly for laughs and cuteness.
this was also not half bad as a adaptation. pretty much all the 'Alice' films only briefly mention the 'Father William' poem, where this film silent presents it in entirety. somewhat ironic that a non talking silent would do that. it also presents a startling image of the Tenniel illustration of Father William doing his somersault.
even some young children might find this amusing if they are familiar with the story. but most of today's high tekkie, younger generation, will probably find most of this to be a rickety old monster creep show. i thought it cute, but there were moments that repulsed me and gave me the creepy crawlies. a lot of silent movies can do that.
at least it wasn't all dark and scary like the silent version of 'The Bluebird'.
this film is a definite must see for 'Alice' fans and silent movie buffs.
this was a really cute old silent. i don't think it was great cinema or D.W. Griffith or anything like that. it was actually pretty typical for the time period. aside from the goofy monsters and elaborate costumes. even the silent version of 'Peter Pan' was better cinema than this, and 'Pan' itself is a little pedestrian and unoriginal at times. but like the silent 'Pan' film, this is mostly for laughs and cuteness.
this was also not half bad as a adaptation. pretty much all the 'Alice' films only briefly mention the 'Father William' poem, where this film silent presents it in entirety. somewhat ironic that a non talking silent would do that. it also presents a startling image of the Tenniel illustration of Father William doing his somersault.
even some young children might find this amusing if they are familiar with the story. but most of today's high tekkie, younger generation, will probably find most of this to be a rickety old monster creep show. i thought it cute, but there were moments that repulsed me and gave me the creepy crawlies. a lot of silent movies can do that.
at least it wasn't all dark and scary like the silent version of 'The Bluebird'.
this film is a definite must see for 'Alice' fans and silent movie buffs.
A Special Silent Delicacy
FerdinandVonGalitzien28 June 2006
As the longhaired must know by now, this German Count has a likeness for the non-conventional (for example, my dearest German fat heiresses) and a particular and aristocratic taste for bizarre beauty. With this in mind, then you even can comprehend why this Teutonic aristocrat loves this film so much; it's one of the most remarkable silent discoveries from the last visit to the Schloss cinema.
The film is "Alice In Wonderland", a beautiful (always at the top of this aristocrat's criteriaÂ…) and astounding film adaptation of the well-know oeuvre by Herr Lewis Carroll. This film was the third film adaptation of that novel and was directed by W. W. Young. For this German count, it is among the best that he has watched with or without a monocle in his eyes.
The film, starred by the youngster Viola Savoy, is a continuous show of incredible and amazing costumes (which would be perfect for an aristocratic fancy-dress ballÂ…). The pageantry enhances the fantastic spirit of the novel and displays a marvelous, bizarre and unique world full of fantasy and imagination that can be enjoyed by youngsters or even serious aristocrats.
The film has not completely survived until modern days (and it's a shame, certainly). In spite of this, the audience will enjoy the animal characters depicted in the film, which include a bizarre Cheshire cat, an astounding caterpillar or a funny Queen Of Hearts. This last one, as it happens with many of the aristocracy, has a special hobby. Namely it's to cut off their subject's heads (this German Count doesn't understand why some of you are shocked when this aristocrat merely whips his servantsÂ…). There's a special gallery of characters from dreamland.
The film has few special or optical effects. But in this case they are not necessary. Thanks to the craftsmanship provided by the art designer that's shown in the film, we have proof that in those silent days that imagination and originality is the only thing that counts in order to achieve marvelous results.
Thanks to its imagination, costume designer, boldness and skillfulness Herr W. W. Young film direction, "Alice In Wonderland" it is, for this German Count, the best film adaptation of the Herr Carroll's novel. It's a special delicacy: an early silent film masterpiece that every silent film fan shouldn't miss.
And now, if you'll allow me, I must temporarily take my leave because this German Count has an appointment with that foolish heart Queen.
Herr Graf Ferdinand Von Galitzien http://ferdinandvongalitzien.blogspot.com/
The film is "Alice In Wonderland", a beautiful (always at the top of this aristocrat's criteriaÂ…) and astounding film adaptation of the well-know oeuvre by Herr Lewis Carroll. This film was the third film adaptation of that novel and was directed by W. W. Young. For this German count, it is among the best that he has watched with or without a monocle in his eyes.
The film, starred by the youngster Viola Savoy, is a continuous show of incredible and amazing costumes (which would be perfect for an aristocratic fancy-dress ballÂ…). The pageantry enhances the fantastic spirit of the novel and displays a marvelous, bizarre and unique world full of fantasy and imagination that can be enjoyed by youngsters or even serious aristocrats.
The film has not completely survived until modern days (and it's a shame, certainly). In spite of this, the audience will enjoy the animal characters depicted in the film, which include a bizarre Cheshire cat, an astounding caterpillar or a funny Queen Of Hearts. This last one, as it happens with many of the aristocracy, has a special hobby. Namely it's to cut off their subject's heads (this German Count doesn't understand why some of you are shocked when this aristocrat merely whips his servantsÂ…). There's a special gallery of characters from dreamland.
The film has few special or optical effects. But in this case they are not necessary. Thanks to the craftsmanship provided by the art designer that's shown in the film, we have proof that in those silent days that imagination and originality is the only thing that counts in order to achieve marvelous results.
Thanks to its imagination, costume designer, boldness and skillfulness Herr W. W. Young film direction, "Alice In Wonderland" it is, for this German Count, the best film adaptation of the Herr Carroll's novel. It's a special delicacy: an early silent film masterpiece that every silent film fan shouldn't miss.
And now, if you'll allow me, I must temporarily take my leave because this German Count has an appointment with that foolish heart Queen.
Herr Graf Ferdinand Von Galitzien http://ferdinandvongalitzien.blogspot.com/
The most faithful dramatisation of Alice?
johnbirch-22 August 2023
Particularly given the sate this is quite remarkable.
I only came across it by chance, and being a get fan of Alice I had to see it.
The costumes have been described as bizarre or even grotesque, but they are in many cases astonishingly good version of Tenniel's illustrations for the book. Indeed this is amazing faithful to the book - far more so that most films made more recently - with most of text being lifted straight from the book itself. If it appears nightmarish that is because the story is as much a nightmare as a dream.
Odd parts are left out - or lost - we do not see Alice grow or shrink in size, which is a pity. But on the positive side there is the wonderful Father William sequence - although oddly it only tells one half of the poem, and does not include Father William's replies.
The lead - Viola Savoy - as apparently a child actress on stage who made this and one other film right at the end of her career. She was obviously very gifted and - even better - looks very like the original Alice Liddell (it is only really Disney that made her blond, though Tenniel had suggested it). The only problem is that at 15 Viola is really too old for the role - certainly she too tall, towering over some of the other actors who should have been taller than the child that Alice was.
Other reviewers have mentioned that elements of "Looking Glass" - the second Alice book - appear, but really that is confined to the Walrus and the Carpenter wandering into the Mock Turtle's Lobster Quadrille. Beyond that I did not spot any "Looking Glass" elements - which is wonderful!
The Mock Turtle is brilliant by the way - Tenniel brought to life.
For a silent film of a book based on wordplay it does very, very well. You probably have to know the book to make any sense of it at all, but that is Alice.
And this really is Alice.
I only came across it by chance, and being a get fan of Alice I had to see it.
The costumes have been described as bizarre or even grotesque, but they are in many cases astonishingly good version of Tenniel's illustrations for the book. Indeed this is amazing faithful to the book - far more so that most films made more recently - with most of text being lifted straight from the book itself. If it appears nightmarish that is because the story is as much a nightmare as a dream.
Odd parts are left out - or lost - we do not see Alice grow or shrink in size, which is a pity. But on the positive side there is the wonderful Father William sequence - although oddly it only tells one half of the poem, and does not include Father William's replies.
The lead - Viola Savoy - as apparently a child actress on stage who made this and one other film right at the end of her career. She was obviously very gifted and - even better - looks very like the original Alice Liddell (it is only really Disney that made her blond, though Tenniel had suggested it). The only problem is that at 15 Viola is really too old for the role - certainly she too tall, towering over some of the other actors who should have been taller than the child that Alice was.
Other reviewers have mentioned that elements of "Looking Glass" - the second Alice book - appear, but really that is confined to the Walrus and the Carpenter wandering into the Mock Turtle's Lobster Quadrille. Beyond that I did not spot any "Looking Glass" elements - which is wonderful!
The Mock Turtle is brilliant by the way - Tenniel brought to life.
For a silent film of a book based on wordplay it does very, very well. You probably have to know the book to make any sense of it at all, but that is Alice.
And this really is Alice.
See also
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