Le avventure straordinarissime di Saturnino Farandola
An early Italian silent science fiction comedy in four episodes.
Le avventure straordinarissime di Saturnino Farandola is a 1913 Italian silent film directed and performed by Marcel Fabre. The work is occasionally cited by critics as an early example of European science fiction cinema.
Quick Facts
- Director
- Marcel Fabre
- Screenplay
- Guido Volante
- Story
- Albert Robida
- Based on
- Voyages très extraordinaires de Saturnin Farandoul by Albert Robida
- Cinematography
- Ottavio De Matteis
- Studio
- Ambrosio Film
- Distributor
- Warner's Features (US)
- Released
- 1913
Facts from the source article.
Plot
During a Pacific crossing, a storm destroys the sailing ship of Captain Barnaba Farandola. His wife and newborn son Saturnino are aboard; the baby is placed in a small vessel and survives. Saturnino lands on the Paumotou Islands, inhabited only by apes, who raise him until they notice his human differences and reject him. Saddened, he leaves the island and is spotted by sailors. Their superior, Captain Lombrico, hires the boy as a marine guard. Pirates led by Bora-Bora later attack the ship and capture Lombrico, but Saturnino organizes a revolt that drives the pirates away. With the captain gone, the sailors elect Saturnino their captain. He meets and marries a girl named Misora. While the couple scuba dives, a whale swallows Misora. Unaware, Saturnino searches for her and chases the whale by ship until the crew grows tired. Fishermen capture the whale, and Professor Cocknuff, director of a large aquarium in Melbourne, buys it. Learning of this, Saturnino asks Cocknuff to return Misora; when refused, he declares war, returns to the ape island to recruit fighters, and destroys the aquarium, freeing Misora. A white elephant belonging to the Siamese King is stolen, and a reward is offered. Saturnino and Misora go to Bangkok. Minister Nao-Ching stole the elephant and sold it to the San-Kiù Mandarin. Saturnino fights the Mandarin's men, but they kidnap Misora. In trying to save her, Saturnino and his companions fall into a trap, are imprisoned, and sentenced to death. Misora pretends to be the Mandarin's wife and frees them by distracting guards with opium. They escape and return the elephant to the King. Later, sailing to the Nile's springs, Misora sees two young girls bound and surrounded by men. The couple disguises themselves as aggressive wild animals, kill the tribal chief, and drive off the Niam-Niam tribe, who held the girls captive to eat them.
Production
The film was produced by Società Anonima Ambrosio of Turin, directed and starred in by Marcel Fabre, and based on Albert Robida's novel Viaggi straordinarissimi di Saturnino Farandola. Scenes were shot using four main colours: ochre, green, blue, and brown. Fabre drew on techniques from French filmmaker Georges Méliès, known for his adaptations of Jules Verne's novels, but applied them in a more adventurous context featuring dynamic aerial battles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who wrote Le avventure straordinarissime di Saturnino Farandola?
Le avventure straordinarissime di Saturnino Farandola was written by Guido Volante.
How long is Le avventure straordinarissime di Saturnino Farandola?
Le avventure straordinarissime di Saturnino Farandola has a running time of 57 minutes.
Who distributed Le avventure straordinarissime di Saturnino Farandola?
Le avventure straordinarissime di Saturnino Farandola was distributed by Warner's Features (US).
More in Italian Science Fiction Comedy Films
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced