How to Stop a Motor Car
On a quiet country road at the dawn of the automobile age, a simple drive becomes a chaotic spectacle. This 1902 silent short, a pioneering blend of comedy and horror, captures the sheer terror and absurdity of new technology. A hapless motorist finds his vehicle possessed by a mind of its own, leading to a frantic, slapstick battle of man versus machine. The film’s frantic energy and inventive visual gags highlight early cinema’s fascination with mechanical mischief and societal anxieties about progress, all unfolding in a single, relentless chase.
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📋 Film Details
| Year | 1902 |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Genre | Comedy, Horror |
| Director | Percy Stow |
| Runtime | 2 min. |
| Rating | TMDB: 5.9/10 (11 votes) |
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🎬 MovieFinder's Take
The director's approach elevates a simple breakdown into a farce where technology inspires primal fear. The atmosphere of early cinema creates a sense of naive, yet genuine, terror towards the mechanical world.
This short is for film history enthusiasts curious about genre origins. The viewer will feel a blend of bemusement and curiosity towards the fears of a bygone era. — MovieFinder Editorial
Director: Percy Stow
Best Watched
Watch at dusk while contemplating technological progress.
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