Unveiling the First Recorded Film: Its Origins and Impact

Introduction

The first ever recorded film has captured the imaginations of filmmakers, historians, and enthusiasts for decades. Contrary to popular belief, the distinction of being the first recorded film doesn't belong to a commonly cited sequence, but rather to two competing contenders. The origins of the first recorded film are shrouded in a fascinating duel between Louis Le Prince and Wordsworth Donisthorpe. This article explores the history of the first-ever recorded film, its origins, and why it was chosen, shedding light on the evolution of cinema.

The Louis Le Prince Claim

The widely recognized contender for the first recorded film is the "Roundhay Garden Scene" shot by Louis Le Prince in 1888. This groundbreaking sequence was filmed at his father-in-law’s house in Leeds, known for its proximity to several textile mills. Louis Le Prince, a French inventor, was a pioneer in motion picture technology. His father-in-law's house, located in Roundhay, provided the perfect backdrop for his experiments with the camera. This first recorded film, while historically significant, was not the only contender in the race to cinema.

Wordsworth Donisthorpe's Contender

Recently, a close contender emerged in the form of Wordsworth Donisthorpe's 70mm camera, which captured images onto sensitized paper in Trafalgar Square, London, in 1889. Unlike the widely recognized American contender, Donisthorpe’s camera recorded onto sensitized paper, a process that was more experimental and less refined than the wet collodion process used by Le Prince.

The Technical Specifications

Both camera systems were complex and innovative in their own right. Le Prince’s camera, the Le Prince Single Lens Camera, was designed to capture motion in a more practical way, with a single lens and an eye-level finder. The film was advanced using a lever mechanism, and the camera itself was built to be relatively portable, ideal for capturing scenes in various locations. Le Prince’s choice in filming his father-in-law’s garden was strategic, as the subject matter (a lady in a black dress walking) was simple yet engaging, making it a perfect starting point for pioneers in the field of cinematography.

Donisthorpe’s camera, while less well-documented, involved a different approach. The 70mm camera with sensitized paper filming process was highly experimental. It lacked the sprockets and a traditional film strip, instead relying on a "Beater" mechanism to pull down the film. The registration of the film was rudimentary, and yet the technology was advanced enough to produce some remarkable images of Trafalgar Square in 1889. The exact nature of this process remains a subject of historical intrigue and scholarly debate.

The Reproduction and Modern Interpretation

In an effort to bring these early films to life, Gordon Trewinard had an exact replica of Le Prince’s camera built several years ago. This replica, known as the Le Prince Single Lens Camera, was tested with modern color 70mm film. The results were nothing short of astonishing. Despite the antiquated nature of the camera, and the fact that it had no sprockets, it was possible to get the film to run smoothly. Additionally, the "Beater" mechanism designed by Donisthorpe was tested, and although the registration of the film was at best "sketchy," it provided crucial insights into the working processes of these early cameras.

Conclusion

The first recorded film is a fascinating subject that continues to intrigue historians and filmmakers alike. The choice between Louis Le Prince’s "Roundhay Garden Scene" and Wordsworth Donisthorpe’s Trafalgar Square footage highlights the innovative spirit of early cinematography. Both films represent pivotal moments in the history of cinema and underscore the relentless pursuit of capturing the real world in motion. As technology continues to evolve, the historical significance of these early experiments remains a testament to the ingenuity of its creators.