by Francis Friel

The 19th century goes out with a bang.

This completely bananas little movie is exactly what it looks like. The DEVIL SATAN, disguised as a priest, terrorizes a convent and unleashes the forces of weirdo darkness all over the place.

A giant frog, a Winsor McCay-style giant-mouthed demon head that spews out little devils and witches, and a finale that features a cameo by an enormous St. Michael who shows up to save the day.

Melies was at a fever pitch this year, also releasing his wildly popular CINDERELLA. He was owning the screen like no one else and, watching all these films put together, it's easy to see why he's one of the few 19th century filmmakers we're still talking about today. 

1899 Honorable Mentions:
A KISS IN THE TUNNEL by George Albert Smith
MOMIJIGARI by Tsunekichi Shibata