The intention of this essay is to discuss Mary Jane's Mishaps (1903) by G. A. Smith and The Birth of a Nation (1915) by D. W. Griffith together to established critical theories, primarily Barry Salt and Tom Gunning, in an attempt to demonstrate how the early development of narrative cinema changed historically and influenced the films we see today. I will look closely at how cinema has developed its codes of intelligibility and why it has become a predominantly narrative medium. Before discussing the two chosen films and the debates between Barry Salt and Tom Gunning, it is necessary to understand how cinema was founded. attempted. Cinema has developed gradually over the years and has become an important communication and entertainment tool in the 20th and 21st centuries; have a substantial impact on the arts, technology and politics. The first public demonstration of moving films was Leaving the Lumiére Factory (1895); a reality of the Lumiére brothers from France. From 1900 to 1910, films gradually transitioned from single-shot reality films to multi-shot films, with more complex narratives. However, the dominant form has remained the short film, with very few films lasting more than ten minutes. As David Robinson points out, “Early filmmakers did not suddenly invent a new form. Rather they were based on existing models and ideologies.' (Robinson 1996: p.69). This shows us that through theatrical work, directors were able to create a new world through moving images, thus attracting audiences to a new form of entertainment. The outbreak of the First World War (1914-1918) helped early cinema thanks to the development of advanced technologies and Parliament's interest in film...... middle of paper ......or Palace: The Birth of American Film, 1st ed. Columbia: Columbia University Press.Kerr, P., 2010. Reinventing cinema. Screen [online], 51(4), 80-84 [viewed 25 February 2011]. Available from: http://www.screen.oxfordjournals.org/content/21/4/80.full.pdfFilmographyLeaving the Lumiére Factory, 1895. Directed by the Lumiére brothers. France: Lumiére, Le Voyage á la lune [A Trip to the Moon], 1902. Directed by George Méliès. France: Star Film.The Mary Jane Incident, 1903. Directed by GA Smith. UK: GAS Films & Warwick Trading Company. The Birth of a Nation, 1915. Directed by DW Griffith. USA: David W. Griffith Corporation & Epoch Producing Corporation. The Whole Dam Family and the Dam Dog, 1905. Directed by Edwin S. Porter. USA: Edison Manufacturing Company. Triumph of the Will, 1935. Directed by Leni Riefenstahl. Germany: Leni Riefenstahl-Produktion.