Battle of Santiago Bay(1898)
15 min · Documentary · Directed by J. Stuart Blackton
Released
Vitagraph’s Battle of Santiago Bay (1898) blended real Spanish–American War footage with tabletop trickery. Albert E. Smith’s authentic San Juan material looked underwhelming, so he and partner J. Stuart Blackton staged the naval clash on a miniature set: cardboard ships afloat in shallow water, firecracker “explosions,” and clouds of smoke from cigars and cigarettes. Spliced together, the hybrid film was embraced as genuine by audiences and became one of the most popular war films of its day.
Where to watch
Not available to stream, rent, or buy in the US yet.
US release dates
- Theatrical
- January 1, 1898
