Year: 1897
Director: George Albert Smith
Country: UK
Language: N/A
Reviewing a picture that is 119 years old, 17 years older than World War One, will be quite a challenge. Mainly because films during this era weren't very long (The X-Rays is 44 seconds!) and they don't seem very complex, at least to the modern audiences of 2016. Film historians will often point to the films of France (Melies) and America (Edison) as great innovations of the time, but early British Cinema doesn't get as much credit. Unfortunate, because the Brits really had a talent for film as well.
In this picture, a wacky scientist turns his x-ray machine onto a courting couple and the inevitable occurs.
With The X-Rays, Director George Albert Smith creates a perfect example of why early British Cinema ought to be held in the same respect as the others. It boasts technical achievement, attention to detail, and wit in abundance all in under a minute! This picture does what many current films can't do, even when they are given 2+hrs to do so!
For a bit of history, X-rays came to public attention in 1895 thanks to the research of Wilhelm Roentgen and were first used under clinical conditions in 1896, just one year before The X-Rays was released. The film was relevant at the time because it hit on the sensationalism people had over the technology. Citizens, thinking x-rays were harmless, purchased DIY kits and went buck-wild.
The X-Rays is an important picture when viewing the overall history of Cinema. George Albert Smith is also an important director. He was an innovator who adapted close-ups, pans, iris effects, jump cuts and snappy editing during a time when they were considered "gimmicks". Move over Edison! The British are coming!
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