Trivia

Though the technique of rapid editing was historically attributed to Soviet Russia, Gance actually pioneered the process in La roue (1923). It can also be seen in Napoléon vu par Abel Gance (1927) with more heroic ambition.

When Gance did not receive the necessary financial support to expand his masterpiece "Napoleom" to complete his original conception of a cinematic trilogy, he just discarded cans of film that would have been used, depriving future film historians of invaluable insights into the director's vision.

Was asked by the Vichy Government, during 1941, to prove his Aryan origins to the head of the Cinema industry when accused of being Jewish.

Published his first article in the Parisian Ciné-Journal entitled "What is the cinema? A sixth art form!" on March 9th 1912.

Was a stretcher-bearer during World War I, as he was exempt from active military duty due to health reasons.

Biography in: John Wakeman, editor. "World Film Directors, Volume One, 1890-1945". Pages 371-385. New York: The H.W. Wilson Company, 1987.

Often called the D.W. Griffith of Europe.

He publicly supported the Vichy regime during the Occupation.

Member of the jury at the Cannes Film Festival in 1953

Abel Gance was a member of the jury for Miss France 1938.