What is widely considered the first American narrative film?

The Great Train Robbery is widely considered the first American narrative film due to its pioneering storytelling techniques and its significant impact on the development of the motion picture industry. Released in 1903, this short silent film, directed by Edwin S. Porter, runs about 12 minutes long and tells a coherent story, which was innovative for its time. It features a series of scenes that depict a group of bandits robbing a train, showcasing action, suspense, and a narrative structure that follows a clear beginning, middle, and end.

This film is notable not only for its storytelling but also for its technical achievements, such as the use of varied camera angles, editing techniques, and the incorporation of more complex narrative elements compared to earlier films, which were often single-shot scenes without a developed plot. The Great Train Robbery was instrumental in demonstrating the potential of film as a form of entertainment, inspiring future filmmakers to explore narrative options in their works.

The other options provided refer to different films and experiences in cinema history, but none share the same level of significance in marking the beginning of narrative filmmaking in America.