Entering Steampunk via movies

[Luis]

I didn't really see a thread specifically about that so I create one.

I love the whole idea of alternate history + anachronistic stuff + adventurer/inventor archetypes (I loved the movie The Time Machine, the 50s one, for instance. I just watched 20,000 leagues under the sea too.).
So my question is very simple: what movies would you recommend to someone who wants to get familiar with steampunk (and have an awesome time)? What movies introduce new people to steampunk better in your opinion?

Thanks! 

[Atterton]

We actually have a whole thread about steampunk movies, even if the criteria is perhaps a bit lax. The movie Wild Wild West is a very good example of steampunk, though not a very good movie.

[Luis]

Yes Atterton, I have seen the thread that you mention (or I guess you refer to the one I found). That thread is about a list of movies, not about recommendations for beginners.
That's why I created this thread.
If I am wrong, could you please point me to the right thread? Because I looked for that and didn't find it.

Thanks a lot

[Luis]

Maybe you referred to the thread named "TOP STEAMPUNK MOTION PICTURES"
Well that probably would kind of do, but I'm not sure that it answers the specific question that I pose.
If forumers decide it's fine, then I take it   

[Argus Fairbrass]

This is probably the best animated short to date.

The Mysterious Explorations of Jasper Morello

This one is also very good.

Invention of Love (2010) - Animated Short Film

As for the longer films, Wild Wild West, The League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen and Van Helsing all have many elements. But none of them are considered exactly top hole. (I find them each quite entertaining in their way)

The Prestige is pretty good. And although I haven't seen it yet, Luc Besson's The Extraordinary Adventures of Adèle Blanc-Sec has had very favourable reviews. I certainly can recommend The City Of Lost Children.

[Madasasteamfish]

I second the recommendations of Argus Fairbass, particularly the mysterious Explorations of Jasper Morello, and the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (the film which helped me personally get into Steampunk, in no small part thanks to the excellent performance of Sean Connery), The Prestige is also excellent and taps into our collective fascination with Nickola Tesla (of whom an excellent performance is given by David Bowie, as well as highlighting the frustrations he suffered in life thanks to Thomas Edison). The only other films I can recommend (although maybe not for beginners unless they have an interest in horror/anime respectively) are Mutant Chronicles, Steamboy and Castle in the Sky, although Hugo does have some Steampunk elements in it.

But further to that I can't think of any more particular recommendations for beginners (Steampunk seems to be a state of mind for people who then find other likeminded individuals later in life). But as has been pointed out very few steampunk films are considered top drawer, mainly, it seems to me, because of the small audiences they tend to attract and therefore the small budgets that are allocated to them by studios as a result (Wild Wild West for example was included on a list of the greatest Hollywood 'turkeys' and barely broke even), which is unfortunate given the large CGI/SPF budgets required to make something suitably Steampunk look good on screen.

Really IMHO if you want good Steampunk films, you have to go looking for small film companies/arthouse films as most Steampunk films are made because the directors/producers involved want to make them, rather than to make money (again Wild Wild West only really got made through Will Smith using his influence and turning down a role Bad Boys).

[Aleister Crow]

One more recommended short film-

Blur Studio - A Gentlemen's Duel [HQ]

[Captain Brandsson]

We actually have a whole thread about steampunk movies, even if the criteria is perhaps a bit lax.

Attempts have been made to explore more fine-tuned criteria.

[Crescat Scientia]

"Laputa: Castle in the Sky" by Hayao Miyazaki is an excellent introduction suitable for children.  It is not historical, but a postapocalyptic science fiction world whose culture is solidly nineteenth century steam powered.  It is full of magnificent airships, steam railroads, mines, and gardening robots.  The story is well done and entertaining as well.