The Coronation of Edward VII (1902)

Original title

Le couronnement du roi Édouard VII

Directed by

Georges Méliès

Genre

documentary film, silent film

Country

France

Runtime

4 min

Rating

4.6 of 10 from 24 voters

Elsewhere

IMDb

How it feels

This silent short film from 1902 shows a staged reenactment of the coronation of King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra. It was made by the French director Georges Melies after he failed to get permission to film the real ceremony.

stagedsimulatedformalhistoricalshortsilentquietobservational

What happens

The Coronation of Edward VII (French: Le Sacre d'Édouard VII), also released as Reproduction, Coronation Ceremonies, King Edward VII and as Coronation of King Edward, is a 1902 short silent film directed by Georges Méliès and produced by Charles Urban. The film is a staged simulation of the coronation of King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra, produced in advance of the actual coronation for release on the same day. Urban, after a failed attempt to obtain permission to film the actual ceremony, commissioned Méliès to direct the simulated version. The film, staged outdoors on a painted set, was planned as a realistic (albeit highly condensed) reproduction of the coronation; Urban procured various research details in England, while Méliès, at his French studio, cast his actors based on their resemblances to the real-life dignitaries at the ceremony. The film was completed on time for the coronation; when Edward fell ill, both the actual event and the release of the film were postponed. The film premiered on Coronation Day to great popular success in Britain and elsewhere, although at least one journalist sharply criticized Urban and Méliès for faking the ceremony. King Edward himself was reportedly delighted with the film, and it remains one of Méliès' most well-received works. (from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA)

Trailer

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