Berlin: Die Sinfonie der Grosstadt (1927)

Director:

Walter Ruttmann

Writers:

Karl Freund (screenplay)
Carl Mayer (idea)

Release Date:

13 May 1928 (USA)

Genre:

Documentary

Plot:

This movie shows us one day in Berlin, the rhythm of that time, starting at the earliest morning and ends in the deepest night.

Plot Keywords:

Train | Avant Garde | Night Life | Building | Pre War

Cast

Paul von Hindenburg

...

Himself (uncredited)

Also Known As:

Berlin: A Symphony of a Big City (International: English title) (informal literal title)
Berlin: Symphony of a Great City (USA)
Berlin: Symphony of a Metropolis (USA)

Runtime:

65 min | Finland:79 min

Country:

Germany

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Silent

Filming Locations:

Berlin, Germany

Company:

Deutsche Vereins-Film

Movie Connections:

Featured in Tying the Knot (2004)

the idea and the visualization

It's like Koyaanisqatsi of 20s! It's miraculous! Awesome! It's all about the idea of a great city moving forward up-tempo but still having quite common problems of Germany's twenties – poverty and exacerbation, nevertheless Berlin being one of the most fashionable cities of Europe of that particular time. But it's not the movie's main account. Its atmosphere was created by excellent cameraman work. The frame when a train moves right into you and then suddenly turns away is quite impressive. Never seen that advanced cameraman till Citizen Kane. I'd also definitely recommend watching Ruttmann's 'Lichtspiel Opus I ', an avant-garde animated movie created in 1921.