The Four Troublesome Heads
1898 · 1m · France
Directed by Georges Méliès
Genres: comedy, fantasy, silent
Tones: whimsical
A magician (Méliès himself) repeatedly removes his own head and places copies on a table, until four identical heads sing together — then he destroys them in frustration. One of the earliest trick films ever made, showcasing pioneering multiple-exposure special effects.
Picked by Zoe
The scouts
Méliès removing his own head four times in 1898 still beats most of what passes for VFX content today. One minute, no fluff, pure trick.
Melies, performing his own quadruple substitution splice, essentially invents the language of optical layering in thirty seconds. The historical weight is decisive even if the gag is slight.
Méliès achieving four simultaneous selves in 1898 through multiple exposure — at 30 seconds (per the YouTube length), every frame is a magic trick that had to be plotted in-camera with masks and re-exposure. 411K views on a 30-second 1898 film tells you the technique still reads.
Reviews
Doubtless a wonder when it appeared, the first of a wonderful comic line which produced not only detachable body parts but also the replication of any number of magical reproductions of Méliès's own image.
A nice intro to Méliès's talent and goofy sense of humor — the special effects hold up amazingly well and people get a kick out of what an oddball it is.