The Cameraman’s Revenge (1912)
The Cameraman’s Revenge Review
The Cameraman’s Revenge is a 1912 animated short film directed by Ladislav Starevich. It’s an impressive movie.
Mr. Beetle seeks companionship from a statuesque dragonfly dancer, unaware that her ex-boyfriend, a slender grasshopper and an industrious cameraman, watches their every move. I found the film’s plot about adultery strange, but ultimately very well crafted. The grasshopper is particularly terrific as this very competent, creepy villain. I wanted more of the wife, but Mr. Beetle himself is a wonderful protagonist.
The Cameraman’s Revenge features absolutely astonishing animation. Starevich was a master animator among the pioneers, and here he used actual dead insects, which is why they felt so incredibly realistic. Their movements are believable and the action is mostly stupendously executed. Some scenes are more memorable than others with the highlights being all the interior scenes and that final theater sequence is exquisite (the screen looked impressive). The sets are elaborate, the score is good and the use of intertitles is spare and just right.
The Cameraman’s Revenge is an absolute classic of stop-motion animation. It looks incredibly polished while the plot and action on screen are also very strong.
