The Magic Box is a biographical film about the life of William Friese-Greene, a pioneering British inventor who is widely regarded as one of the inventors of cinematography. The film portrays his struggles through poverty, rejection, and his relentless determination to develop the world's first motion picture camera and projector.
The movie stars Robert Donat as William Friese-Greene, with a supporting cast that includes Maria Schell, Richard Attenborough and Margaret Johnston. It was directed by John Boulting, produced by his brother Roy Boulting, and released in 1951.
The Magic Box traces Friese-Greene's life from his early days as a struggling portrait photographer to his invention of the "Biophantascope," a device that projected moving pictures. Although the device was unsuccessful, it inspired Friese-Greene to continue his quest, leading to numerous financial difficulties and personal tragedies.
The film also focuses on his relationships with his family, including his long-suffering wife Edith (played by Schell), who frequently had to cope with his erratic behaviour and obsessive absorption with his work. His ultimate recognition as one of the pioneers of cinema comes too late, as he dies in poverty as the credits roll.
The Magic Box received mixed reviews upon its release but over the years, has gained critical acclaim as a unique portrait of Friese-Greene's life and a historical record of one of the most significant periods of technological innovation in film history.
