William Friese Green was one of the major contributors to the invention of moving pictures. He started off as a stills photographer in Victorian England but his curiosity led him to risk (and lose) everything as he sought to be the first to show the possibility of moving pictures.

Friese Green may or may not have invented the moving picture, depending on which country you are in, but his dedication to the process wreaked havoc on himself and his family. This is certainly not a glamorous story but a brave one. Robert Donat is superb as the mild mannered but dedicated British inventor. The rest of the cast are also wonderful, especially his doting family. And this film is famous for the amount of cameo appearances by established British actors so watch out for some familiar faces.

The Magic Box was made to help celebrate the Festival of Britain in 1951 and as such it is a wonderfully made film (in Technicolor). It also helps to keep the name of Friese Greene from slipping… more »

William Friese Green was one of the major contributors to the invention of moving pictures. He started off as a stills photographer in Victorian England but his curiosity led him to risk (and lose) everything as he sought to be the first to show the possibility of moving pictures.

Friese Green may or may not have invented the moving picture, depending on which country you are in, but his dedication to the process wreaked havoc on himself and his family. This is certainly not a glamorous story but a brave one. Robert Donat is superb as the mild mannered but dedicated British inventor. The rest of the cast are also wonderful, especially his doting family. And this film is famous for the amount of cameo appearances by established British actors so watch out for some familiar faces.

The Magic Box was made to help celebrate the Festival of Britain in 1951 and as such it is a wonderfully made film (in Technicolor). It also helps to keep the name of Friese Greene from slipping into total obscurity and is a worthy watch for lovers of British films.