Oxford vs. Martigues 1912
Step back to the silent-film dawn of 1912 and meet Jean Durand's lightning-quick comedy Oxford vs. Martigues, a four-minute rugby riot that turns the cobblestone streets of early cinema into a madcap playground.
Director: Jean Durand
Cast
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Oxford vs. Martigues (1912) about?
This zippy silent short follows two rugby teams as they sprint through a bustling city, turning parks into playgrounds and sidewalks into obstacle courses. Every scrum becomes a slapstick set-piece in a world where sport and street life collide.
Who directed Oxford vs. Martigues?
Jean Durand, the French filmmaker famed for his energetic comedies and love of physical humor, guided this four-minute chase.
Who stars in Oxford vs. Martigues?
The film pairs Ernest Bourbon and Gaston Modot, Durand's go-to mischief-makers, whose nimble antics spark every chaotic moment.
Is Oxford vs. Martigues (1912) worth watching?
For silent-film fans and comedy historians, the film is a charming time capsule of early cinematic energy. Its short runtime and infectious spirit make it a delightful curiosity, even if it's more sprint than masterpiece.
How long is Oxford vs. Martigues?
The film runs for 4 minutes.
About Oxford vs. Martigues (1912) — A frenetic silent-era rugby romp through early Paris streets
Step back to the silent-film dawn of 1912 and meet Jean Durand's lightning-quick comedy Oxford vs. Martigues, a four-minute rugby riot that turns the cobblestone streets of early cinema into a madcap playground. Cast as a mischievous minuet of mud-streaked forwards dodging tram lines and vaulting over flower carts, the short sprints from parkland to pavement with the anarchic spirit of early slapstick. Durand's camera catches every scramble and grin, turning the sport into pure visual frolic rather than stiff competition, wrapping the era's playful fascination with movement inside a grinning, grass-stained joke.
Bourbon and Modot, Durand's favorite mischief-makers, lead the charge: Bourbon's wide-eyed earnestness collides with Modot's rubber-legged antics as the ball ricochets from bonnet to boot in a blur of flat caps and fisticuffs. The film's genius lies in its refusal to let rugby stay serious; instead, it turns every scrum into a surreal street chase where the only rule is momentum. In an age when cinema was still learning its own rules, Oxford vs. Martigues sprints ahead, a fleeting sprint of joy that's as fresh as the first whistle of springtime play.