Hey England! Watch Your Nation's First Ever Sci-fi Film A MESSAGE FROM MARS
This is part of the BFI's UK-wide celebration of sci-fi film and television, Days of Fear and Wonder (cue the announcement the other week about Mayhem Film Festival's The Created Woman program).
As a punishment for stealing someone's ideas a Martian is condemned to go to Earth to change the heart of a selfish man. The Martian will only be permitted to return to Mars if he is successful in his mission.
A Message From Mars was made in 1913 by J. Wallett Waller. It was an adaptation of a stage play and the plot bears a striking resemblance to Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol.
The Wikipedia page dedicated to the film describes the plot as so...
Horace Parker is a wealthy young man who is exceedingly selfish and self-centered. Not only is he a miser, but he also expects his friends (and everyone else) to conduct their lives according to his personal convenience. Parker is engaged to Minnie Templer, but Minnie has discovered Parker's selfishness and she is on the brink of calling off the engagement. However, on Christmas Eve, a messenger from Mars comes to Earth to show Parker the error of his ways. The two of them become invisible and eavesdrop on all the terrible -- and true -- things Parker's friends and family are saying about him.
The restoration was completed using two shorter prints in the BFI's National Archive and a tinted and toned print from the Museum of Modern Art. The silent film has been restored to it's full 68 minute run time and a new score has been created by composer Matthew Herbert, Creative Director of the New Radiophonic Workshop.
You will be able to watch A Message From Mars on the BFI player and the BBC Arts site, if you live in the U.K. Yep. The sites are region-blocked. For sake of the article I went over to the BFI site and tried to play something but because I do not live in the U.K... ... ...
I am not going to burn my U.K. passport over this but come on England, stop being so petty about access to your media!
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