The House That Jack Built (1900 film)

The House That Jack Built is a short British silent trick film directed by George Albert Smith and released in 1900. It is considered one of the earliest examples of stop-motion animation.

The film depicts the construction of a small, toy-like house. Each brick or element of the house appears to magically fly into place. This effect was achieved through stop-motion photography, where the camera is stopped between each slight movement of the building materials, creating the illusion of autonomous construction when played back at normal speed.

The House That Jack Built is significant for its pioneering use of stop-motion techniques. While not the first film to employ such methods, it is a notable early example that demonstrates the creative possibilities of the emerging film technology. It is a demonstration of early special effects and visual storytelling, representing a stage in the development of animation as a distinct cinematic art form. The film is public domain and readily available for viewing.