Lanterna Magica: A Pageant of Illusions

Centuries before the invention of photography and celluloid film, magic lantern and illuminated glass slides were at the cutting edge of entertainment. This inventive 18th-century technology dazzled and enthralled audiences as they watched projected animated pictures on a screen. This short film explores key points in the history of the magic lantern and the special effects invented to create animation. It features authentic pre-cinema items from the NFSA collection.

Courtesy of National Film and Sound Archive of Australia (NFSA)