The Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem (1897) User Reviews

The Holy Sepulcher

[boblipton · 5/10 · 14 November 2012]

This is one of a series of actualities filmed in Jerusalem by Alexandre Promio and Gabriel Veyre. They undoubtedly were extremely popular. There was a sizable audience for exotic locations and for the audience of the time -- country fair exhibitors would buy the films and exhibit them for years -- views of the Holy Land were like a pilgrimage.

The composition of the film is competent. The grand arch of the entrance helps to center and frame the picture. Yet the random wanderings in and out of people quickly begins to pall and by the end of the film, a viewer who does not have strong religious feelings has had more than enough.

Jérusalem, le saint sépulcre (1897)

[Michael_Elliott · 26 December 2016]

Jérusalem, le saint sépulcre (1897)

In 1897 the Lumiere Brothers sent their cameras throughout the world to capture various images. Obviously the majority of the people during this era couldn't afford to travel around so there's no doubt that these movies would have been popular because it gave people a chance to actually see a location that they'd never be able to travel to. The camera here is set outside a building in Jerusalem and for less than a minute we see what activity is going on. In all honesty, there's really not much happening here but we do get some nice cinematography and I'd argue that it's always fascinating just getting to see what was going on at the time the film was shot.