A fascinating collection of 60 films from the pre-1910 period of cinema is presented here with optional insightful commentary written by film historian Barry Salt. It includes a selection of 35mm films such as Pathe's Ali Baba et les quarante voleurs and Magic Bricks, plus a newly restored and tinted version of Edwin S. Porter's The Great Train Robbery.

This double-disc set provides an entertaining look at how many of today's film devices such as the close-up, the cut-away and editing, were first invented before the turn of the century by filmmakers such as George Melies (with Voyage a travers l'impossible), G.A. Smith (with Mary Jane's Mishap), and the Hepworth Manufacturing Company (with Rescued by Rover).

The films, all presented at the bfi National Film and Television Archive, have been remastered for this collection which is a 'must' for the film enthusiast. This delightful anthology comes with a new isolated improvised score in Dolby Digital provided by Neil Brand, Stephen Horne and John Sweeney, pianists at the National Film Theatre in London.