A Trip to the Moon - Characters & Cast

His primary motivation is the glory of scientific discovery and the desire to achieve the impossible. He is driven by an unwavering, almost fanatical, belief in his plan, seeking to push the boundaries of human endeavor and be recognized for his pioneering spirit.

Professor Barbenfouillis is a static character who remains a zealous and comically aggressive leader throughout the film. He proposes the seemingly insane idea of a trip to the moon, leads the expedition, initiates the violence against the Selenites by killing their king, and ultimately ensures their escape. His arc is not one of personal change, but of achieving his grand vision and being celebrated for it.

They are motivated by a shared sense of scientific curiosity and adventure, inspired by their leader's bold plan. They seek to be part of a historic mission and explore a new world.

The fellow astronomers act as a collective character. They initially show some dissent but are quickly won over by Professor Barbenfouillis's enthusiasm. They follow his lead throughout the lunar adventure, participating in both the exploration and the conflict. They share in the triumphant return and are collectively hailed as heroes, showing no significant individual development.

Their motivation appears to be the defense of their home territory against the strange, violent intruders. They react to the astronomers' presence and aggression by capturing them.

The Selenites are portrayed as a primitive, somewhat chaotic alien race. They are initially curious about the invaders but turn hostile after being provoked. Their arc is one of victimization; they are easily defeated, their king is killed without ceremony, and one of them is taken back to Earth as a captive for display. They exist primarily to be overcome by the protagonists.

As a goddess of the Moon, her motivation is to interact with the sleeping explorers, causing a magical snowfall that drives the plot forward by forcing them into the mushroom cave.

Phoebe is a mythical figure who appears in a dream sequence. She is not a developing character but a symbolic representation of the magical and divine nature of the cosmos. Her brief appearance reinforces the film's fantasy genre over science fiction.