The First Men in the Moon (1919 film)
Lost 1919 silent film based on H.G. Wells' novel.
Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons
The First Men in the Moon is a 1919 black-and-white silent film directed by Bruce Gordon and J.L.V. Leigh. Based on H.G. Wells' 1901 science fiction novel of the same name, it is notable as an early adaptation of a famous science fiction work. As of August 2026, the film is considered lost, listed on the British Film Institute's '75 Most Wanted' list, with only stills and a plot synopsis surviving.
- release_year
- 1919
- directors
- Bruce Gordon, J.L.V. Leigh
- based_on
- H.G. Wells' 1901 novel The First Men in the Moon
- format
- black-and-white silent film
- status
- lost film
- notability
- credited as the first movie based entirely on a famous science fiction novel
Lore & Background
The film follows Samson Cavor, an elderly inventor-scientist, who ascends to the Moon with Rupert Bedford, a grasping speculator, in a sphere coated with 'Cavorite', a substance that neutralizes gravity. After adventures with the Selenites, Bedford deserts Cavor and returns to Earth to exploit Cavorite for profit. Through wireless telegraphy, young engineer Hogben, in love with Cavor's niece Susan, contacts the stranded inventor, who denounces Bedford. Susan rejects Bedford's marriage proposal and accepts Hogben.
Reader's Guide
The First Men in the Moon (1919) holds significance as an early cinematic adaptation of a major science fiction novel, predating many later genre films. Although lost, its existence is documented through trade paper synopses and stills. The film's claim to being the first movie based entirely on a famous science fiction novel is contested by earlier adaptations like Frankenstein (1910) and Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Seas (1916). Its inclusion on the BFI's '75 Most Wanted' list underscores its cultural and historical value, representing a missing link in early science fiction cinema.
Did You Know?
- The film is listed on the British Film Institute's '75 Most Wanted' list of lost films.
- The plot synopsis was published in The Bioscope trade paper on 5 June 1919.
- The film's cast includes Bruce Gordon as Hogben and Heather Thatcher as Susan.
- Robert Godwin credits the film as 'the first movie to ever be based entirely on a famous science fiction novel.'
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The First Men in the Moon (1919 film)?
It is a black-and-white silent feature from 1919 that adapts H.G. Wells' 1901 novel of the same name. The project was helmed by directors Bruce Gordon and J.L.V. Leigh.
Who directed The First Men in the Moon (1919 film)?
Bruce Gordon and J.L.V. Leigh share directing credits on this 1919 production.
What source material does The First Men in the Moon (1919 film) draw from?
The screenplay is an adaptation of H.G. Wells' 1901 science fiction novel bearing the identical title.
Is The First Men in the Moon (1919 film) still available to watch today?
No; the film is regarded as lost, with no known surviving prints. Only still photographs and a written plot synopsis remain, and it currently appears on the BFI's '75 Most Wanted' list.
Why is The First Men in the Moon (1919 film) considered significant in film history?
It is widely credited as the first feature-length movie built entirely around a well-known science fiction novel. Its lost status has only deepened its allure among cinephiles and film historians.
More in Silent science fiction films 1-20
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