Tit for Tat

(La Peine du talion)

France 1906. Dir Gaston Velle, Pathé Frères.


Gloriously winged insects seek revenge for the injustices brought about by the popular practice of lepidoptery: the catching of butterflies and moths for the purpose of scientific observation. Velle’s richly coloured film is one of the finest examples of its kind.


Monday 18 Feb 2013