This 1897 film by Georges Méliès already shows how his creativity and filmmaking was already ahead of the rest, despite the fact this was only his second year in the industry. Instead of 'weary travelers' being haunted at inns or cavaliers being tormented in haunted castles, here the famous director goes for laughs with some simple slapstick. However, rather than filming a gardener getting sprayed by a hose or bill-posters fighting, Méliès gets far more innovative here as he builds a rocking platform and uses it to show some British gents struggling to get their sea legs. Although not really particularly laughable today, you have to admire all the work Méliès put into crafting this little movie, the joke being a new one compared to the cliche one-gag shorts of the time. In addition, because of this innovative physical humor, it also shows some creativity in the field of slapstick which later led to the likes of Buster Keaton and Max Linder--while at the same time the element of creativity shows how much work was put into its making. To go to the trouble of constructing a set and platform for such a work shows commitment.
It's also notable that this bears a slight resemblance to "Sea Fighting in Greece" from the same year, in the sense that both use the rocking and both take place on a ship. Of the two, "Sea Fighting in Greece" is the more cheaply made despite being shot first, using fewer actors and a less convincing set design, while on the other hand, the latter does not use the advantage of the rocking to make people stumble and trip, but instead relies on using the gimmick to further carry the illusion of being on board a boat. Clearly the same platform was used, and I assume Méliès was very pleased with the effect it made, as both were made nearly back-to-back.
It's also notable that this bears a slight resemblance to "Sea Fighting in Greece" from the same year, in the sense that both use the rocking and both take place on a ship. Of the two, "Sea Fighting in Greece" is the more cheaply made despite being shot first, using fewer actors and a less convincing set design, while on the other hand, the latter does not use the advantage of the rocking to make people stumble and trip, but instead relies on using the gimmick to further carry the illusion of being on board a boat. Clearly the same platform was used, and I assume Méliès was very pleased with the effect it made, as both were made nearly back-to-back.