zaro

What is the Oldest Movie Remake?

Published in Cinema History 3 mins read

The oldest movie remake is widely considered to be Partie de cartes (English: Card Party), directed by the prolific French filmmaker Georges Méliès in 1896. This film marked a significant moment in cinema history, establishing a practice that continues to define the industry today.

The Genesis of Remakes: Georges Méliès's Partie de cartes

Georges Méliès's Partie de cartes is recognized as the first known film remake. Released in 1896, this short film depicted a delightful afternoon scene of friends playing cards over a glass of beer. What made it a remake was its direct inspiration from a popular film released just a year prior.

  • The Original: The film was a re-imagining of an earlier work by the pioneering Louis Lumière, whose own Partie de cartes (also known as Card Party or Playing Cards) was released in 1895. Lumière's version was one of the earliest actualité films, showcasing everyday life.
  • Méliès's Vision: Méliès, fascinated by the moving image, created his version of the scene. Although it recreated the subject matter, his approach often infused his burgeoning interest in special effects and narrative, even in such simple early films. It is notable that Partie de cartes was also Georges Méliès's very first film, highlighting how quickly the concept of reinterpreting existing works emerged in the nascent art form.

Why Remake So Early in Cinema History?

The rapid appearance of remakes in the late 19th century can be attributed to several factors inherent to early cinema:

  • Popular Subject Matter: Certain themes and scenes, like the simple act of people playing cards, proved popular with audiences. Filmmakers, much like artists in other mediums, would often re-create successful subjects to cater to public demand.
  • Technological Limitations: Early films were short, often single-shot affairs, and their production was relatively straightforward. Replicating a scene from another film was not a complex undertaking.
  • Shared Inspiration: In a nascent industry, filmmakers often inspired each other directly. Seeing a successful film naturally led to attempts to replicate its appeal, sometimes with slight variations or improvements.

Comparing the Original and the Remake

The concept of a "remake" in the 1890s differed greatly from modern interpretations, yet the core idea of re-filming a previously successful concept remained.

Aspect Original Film (1895) Remake (1896)
Title Partie de cartes Partie de cartes
Director Louis Lumière Georges Méliès
Subject Friends playing cards Friends playing cards
Significance Early cinematic recording First recognized film remake, Méliès's debut film

This early example of Partie de cartes set a precedent for countless remakes that would follow, shaping the evolution of filmmaking from its very beginnings.