A Trip to the Moon
An association of astronomers has convened to listen to the plan of Professor Barbenfouillis, their president, to fly to the moon. With the one dissenting voice quashed by Barbenfouillis and the other members, the plan is approved with Barbenfouillis choosing five others to accompany him. Most of the preparation for the trip is in building the vessel and launching mechanism, which resemble a large bullet and a large gun respectively. Hitting the moon in the eye, the six land safely at their destination. They find that much about the moon is wonderful and fantastical, but also that much is not what they would have liked to encounter as it is life threatening. They have to find a way to get out of their alien predicament to get back home safely.
Produced on a extremely modest budget of $6K, the film represents a independent production.
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
A Trip to the Moon (1902) exhibits precise dramatic framework, characteristic of Georges Méliès's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 15 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.7, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Professor Barbenfouillis
First Astronomer
Second Astronomer
Third Astronomer
Fourth Astronomer
Fifth Astronomer
Main Cast & Characters
Professor Barbenfouillis
Played by Georges Melies
The eccentric president of the Astronomic Club who leads the lunar expedition, designing the cannon-launched capsule and commanding the crew through their adventure on the moon.
First Astronomer
Played by Bleuette Bernon
One of the five brave astronomers who joins Barbenfouillis on the expedition to the moon, helping to explore the lunar surface and escape the Selenites.
Second Astronomer
Played by Henri Delannoy
A member of the lunar expedition crew who assists in the journey and exploration of the moon.
Third Astronomer
Played by Brunnet
One of the astronomers who ventures to the moon, participating in the discovery of the Selenite underworld.
Fourth Astronomer
Played by Farjaux
A scientist astronomer who accompanies the expedition and helps battle the moon's alien inhabitants.
Fifth Astronomer
Played by Kelm
The final member of the six-person crew journeying to the moon via the giant cannon.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 0 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Professor Barbenfouillis addresses the Astronomers' Club in their observatory, representing the world of scientific inquiry and academic debate in a fantastical Victorian setting.. Of particular interest, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 2 minutes when The decision is made: they will journey to the moon. The capsule is completed and loaded onto a massive cannon, transforming theoretical discussion into concrete action.. At 11% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 3 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 21% of the runtime. This demonstrates the protagonist's commitment to The cannon fires! The capsule launches into space, carrying the six astronomers away from Earth. They have irrevocably left the ordinary world behind., moving from reaction to action.
At 8 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Notably, this crucial beat The Selenites capture the astronomers and bring them before the Selenite King. False defeat: our heroes are now prisoners in an alien court, facing an uncertain fate., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 11 minutes (71% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Overwhelmed by Selenite forces, the astronomers face their darkest moment—they are being swarmed and must flee or be destroyed. The whiff of death: they could be trapped on the moon forever., shows the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 12 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. They reach the capsule and push it off the lunar precipice, beginning their fall back to Earth. One brave astronomer holds on as a Selenite clings to the capsule—commitment to home., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
A Trip to the Moon's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping A Trip to the Moon against these established plot points, we can identify how Georges Méliès utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish A Trip to the Moon within the short genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional short films include This Is England, Chloe and What Remains.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Professor Barbenfouillis addresses the Astronomers' Club in their observatory, representing the world of scientific inquiry and academic debate in a fantastical Victorian setting.
Theme
Through animated debate and gesticulation, the astronomers discuss humanity's relationship with the cosmos—the theme of exploration, wonder, and mankind's audacity to reach beyond earthly bounds.
Worldbuilding
Establishment of the scientific community, their workshop, and the ambitious plan. Shows the construction of the spacecraft capsule by workers in a fantastical factory setting with chimneys and foundries.
Disruption
The decision is made: they will journey to the moon. The capsule is completed and loaded onto a massive cannon, transforming theoretical discussion into concrete action.
Resistance
Preparation for launch: the astronomers don their traveling clothes, ceremonial farewell with marines presenting arms, and the loading of the capsule-projectile. A blend of trepidation and excitement.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
The cannon fires! The capsule launches into space, carrying the six astronomers away from Earth. They have irrevocably left the ordinary world behind.
Mirror World
The iconic image: the capsule strikes the Man in the Moon directly in the eye. The moon—personified, alive—represents a mirror universe where earthly rules don't apply and wonder reigns.
Premise
The promise of the premise: exploring the lunar surface, discovering mushrooms that grow before their eyes, encountering the underground moon kingdom with its stalactite caves, and meeting the Selenites (moon inhabitants).
Midpoint
The Selenites capture the astronomers and bring them before the Selenite King. False defeat: our heroes are now prisoners in an alien court, facing an uncertain fate.
Opposition
The astronomers fight back against the Selenites, discovering that the moon men explode into puffs of smoke when struck with umbrellas. The battle intensifies as more Selenites pursue them.
Collapse
Overwhelmed by Selenite forces, the astronomers face their darkest moment—they are being swarmed and must flee or be destroyed. The whiff of death: they could be trapped on the moon forever.
Crisis
Desperate escape: the astronomers run back to their capsule while fighting off pursuing Selenites. The urgency builds as they race against overwhelming odds.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
They reach the capsule and push it off the lunar precipice, beginning their fall back to Earth. One brave astronomer holds on as a Selenite clings to the capsule—commitment to home.
Synthesis
The capsule falls through space, splashes into Earth's ocean, and is recovered by a steamship. The astronomers are rescued, having completed their impossible journey.
Transformation
Triumphant celebration: the astronomers are honored with a parade and monument. They return not as theoretical scholars but as heroes who have touched another world, transforming both themselves and humanity's understanding.