A Message from Mars is a 1903 New Zealand short film by Franklyn Barrett, based on the play of the same name by Richard Ganthony that had been highly popular in Australia and New Zealand.
According to The Bulletin, "Only six people were employed in its making, but it was notable as the first picture in which trick photography was resorted to for dramatic effect.
It was quite devoid of such modern improvements as “fade-ins,” “fade-outs” and “close-ups,” but it made money.
"[6] A Martian comes to Earth to show a human he is selfish.
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