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Plot
In the mystifying depths of Alcofrisbas's laboratory, where the eeriness of science marries the whimsical chaos of a circus, a scientist and his assistant find themselves captivated by an extraordinary spectacle. Alcofrisbas, the enigmatic inventor, unveils his magic white balls. Thrown to the floor, these orbs birth a cloud of white smoke that manifests whatever the thrower envisages. Despite the awe-inspiring display, the scientists decline Alcofrisbas's contract, absconding with a box of the magical spheres instead.
The moment they depart, the laboratory transforms into a devilish den. Alcofrisbas, now a devil, and his helpers, revealed as evil demons, set a sinister plan in motion. As the scientists embark on a family joyride aboard a train materialized from the magic balls, catastrophe strikes. Their ride derails, leaving only the scientist and his assistant as survivors. They seek solace in an inn, unaware of the devilish pursuit hot on their trail.
Inside the inn, the atmosphere shifts from tranquil to terrifying as black imps infiltrate their sanctuary. The place teems with running cooks, demons, and pandemonium. The scientist and his assistant, desperate to escape, conjure an old coach from the magic balls. But the devil, ever cunning, morphs their means of escape into a skeletal horse-drawn carriage, christened the "Skiddo-Horse" by Melies himself.
What follows is a surreal odyssey through heaven and hell, across celestial realms and earthly terrains, up into the clouds and down through a void in the sky. Their journey ends in a house filled with benevolent slaves who attempt to aid the beleaguered scientist. But the devil, relentless and merciless, ensnares the scientist and drags him down into hell, where an infernal feast awaits. The devil's merry frolics reach a macabre climax as the scientist is roasted on a spit, potentially becoming a devilish delicacy. This 1906 cinematic spectacle compels the viewer to ponder the thin line between scientific marvel and supernatural mayhem.
Where to watch The Merry Frolics of Satan?
The Merry Frolics of Satan is a comedy movie featuring Georges Méliès.
The Merry Frolics of Satan is currently streaming on Criterion Channel.