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Parsifal
(1904) United States of America
B&W : Two reels / 1975 feet
Directed by Edwin S. Porter
Cast: Robert Whittier [Parsifal], Adeleide Fitz-Allen [Kundry]
Edison Manufacturing Company production; distributed by Edison Manufacturing Company and Kleine Optical Company / From the opera Parsifal by Richard Wagner. Set design by Harley Merry. Cinematography by Edwin S. Porter. / © 13 October 1904 by Thomas A. Edison [H51619, H51620, H51621, H51622, H51623, H51624, H51625, H51626]. Released November 1904. / Standard 35mm spherical 1.33:1 format. / The film was possibly intended for projection with sound supplied on phonograph cylinders. The film was copyrighted on eight reels, each reel containing a separate scene running from 20 feet to 382 feet in length: (part one) “Parsifal Ascends the Throne” [H51619]; (part two) “Ruins of Magic Garden” [H51620]; (part three) “Exterior of Klingson’s Castle” [H51621]; (part four) “Magic Garden” [H51622]; (part five) “Interior of the Temple” [H51623]; (part six) “Scene Outside the Temple” [H51624]; (part seven) “Return of Parsifal” [H51625]; and (part eight) “In the Woods” [H51626]. Originally shown in two parts. The film was rereleased in the USA in 1906.
Drama: Fantasy.
Synopsis: [From Edison promotional materials] Klingsor seeks admission to the Holy Grail. Evil summons Kundry. Herzeloid appears with the child Parsifal. Crowning of Amfortas. Wounding of Amfortas. Carrying Amfortas to his bath. Kundry brings relief to Amfortas. Parsifal reproached for killing the Swan. Kundry succumbs to Evil. Knights entering the Holy Grail. Parsifal unmoved. Klingsor summons Kundry. Parsifal enters the Magic Garden. Kundry kisses Parsifal. Parsifal calls upon the Saviour. Parsifal repulses Kundry. Klingsor hurls the Sacred Spear. Destruction of the Magic Garden. Guernemanz restores Kundry. Parsifal appears with Sacred Spear. Kundry washes Parsifal’s feet. Amfortas tears open his wound. Parsifal heals Amfortas. Parsifal becomes King of the Holy Grail.
Survival status: Print exists in the Library of Congress film archive (paper print collection) [35mm paper positive].
Current rights holder: Public domain [USA].
Keywords: Early sound film - Synchronized sound film
Listing updated: 12 April 2024.
References: Musser-Emerge p. 2; Niver-Early pp. 245-246; Niver-First pp. 28, 73-74; Shipman-Cinema p. 30 : Website-AFI; Website-IMDb.
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