During the 15 or so years Georges Méliès made films, he often used plots where he was the Devil. Mostly it was just an excuse for him to dress up in his familiar demon suit and do his magic tricks....making things appear, disappear or change before your very eyes. Such tricks were shocking and exciting in 1899, though folks seeing it today quickly realize that the trick involved turning the camera off and then on to make things seem to change before your eyes.
In this case, Satan appears at a nunnery. At first, he pretends to be a priest, but during his sermon, he becomes his true self. Lots of chasing about follows. Ultimately, the Archangel Michael appears and defeats Old Scratch.
This film is very familiar...and with over 500 short films to his credits, you can understand why Georges Méliès seemed to repeat himself so often. I honestly think he played devils in at least two or three dozen of his movies...probably more! Entertaining and fun...but familiar. It might have been improved had the copy I saw had the chase music from Benny Hill...it actually would have fit this film quite well.
In this case, Satan appears at a nunnery. At first, he pretends to be a priest, but during his sermon, he becomes his true self. Lots of chasing about follows. Ultimately, the Archangel Michael appears and defeats Old Scratch.
This film is very familiar...and with over 500 short films to his credits, you can understand why Georges Méliès seemed to repeat himself so often. I honestly think he played devils in at least two or three dozen of his movies...probably more! Entertaining and fun...but familiar. It might have been improved had the copy I saw had the chase music from Benny Hill...it actually would have fit this film quite well.