Berlin: Symphony of a Great City

Expertly shot. Inventively edited, with many visual match cuts and a real sense of rythm. The problem is that it all ends up feeling repetitive and without any narrative (it's just random events over the course of a day) it struggled to hold my attention. A technical achievement in its day, no doubt.

Ruttmann employs a rhythmic editing style reminiscent of the Soviets, particularly Vertov. There is a great deal of lyricism and poetry to it, and Ruttmann has a fantastic eye. Unfortunately, he doesn't really do a whole lot with the medium. Also, the first three acts can get a bit repetitive, especially with all the shots of trains. But things pick up towards the end, including a fantastic cabaret scene. All in all, it's a lovely film, but not as thought-provoking as Man With the Movie Camera.

Precursor to The Man With a Movie Camera that doesn't hold up quite as well. It's definitely well shot but it lacks the dynamism to be completely captivating, especially in the first half. That's partly a function of the film's structure, as it's divided into 5 acts which represent 5 parts of the day, and the morning is much slower and duller than the evening. Still, it's interesting from a film making perspective and there are some memorable scenes scattered throughout.

Cool film. A chronicle of a Berlin we bombed flat in the ensuing years of WW2 and that we will never see again

Visually striking, the cinematography is magnificent, I loved every shot, really good fast pace cuts with the train going to Berlin, the office, the newspapers, but also so contemplative, such a fascinating look almost 100 years in the past. What a shame the dude became a nazi and started making propaganda films

It is impeccably shot and edited and a fascinating historical record. However it lacks the thematic cohesion and technical invention to be among the very best of it's sort (whether that'd be Man With a Movie Camera or Koyaanisqatsi). In the end what we've really learnt is that Berlin was one impressive city in 1927. And the TRAINS! My God, the trains! Trains! Everywhere! All the time! There's so many shots of trains, you realize in the twenties trains must have been like fucking Transformers.

I put this on all the time to relax to.

It's impossible not to compare this to Dziga Vertov's The Man With a Movie Camera, released two years later. Vertov, Ruttmann and others had been taking turns inspiring each other so there's no issue of plagiarism, but the films have some rather striking similarities, especially when it comes to visual motifs like trains, typewriters, machinery and more. But there are also differences. For example Vertov's film focuses more on people and less on the city itself than this does.

Well captured yet without any narrative.

In the same genre as Vertov's Man with a Movie Camera, this is basically images and scenes of Berlin in 1927. Like the other movie, this is interesting to see and pretty fascinating as a time capsule. It's relaxing, but also a bit chilling since we know what is to come only years later.

Jesus, it must've been so boring to be alive back then. Pretty crazy to think about the fact that every single person that shows up in this film is dead by now, too.

There's something positive to be said about experimental films that are made specifically to encompass a cinematic style, especially one such as this that tries to create a vibe for its era and locale. But it also just feels like a bunch of meaningless stock footage that doesn't exude any sort of cinematic flair which other films had during this time period. At most I think it's amusing as a lens of the past, but I'd hardly say that's fascinating to me without context.

An absolutely beautifully shot film by avant-garde filmmaker Walter Ruttmann depicting a day in the life of Berlin. Divided into five acts that roughly follow different times of day, the major theme is how the energy of the city is created by the interaction of the people. Nowadays, this is an even more fascinating film since it's a priceless document of pre-Nazi Berlin.

Great and actually improved by the new soundtrack: https://youtu.be/1KDmi3DOYPQ

Doesn't really pass as entertainment to my eyes but has its moments...a few impressive shots and some interesting edits. The final act is a fun glimpse into the indoor sports and nightlife scene. Strangely, Berlin never stands out as a physically impressive or even that interesting of a city. Could have been anywhere - maybe that was the intent. Maybe not. Maybe you had to be there.

Great cinematography. Almost contemporary.

accompanied by a live score from German Electronica duo Tronthaim

A well-composed if not phenomenally arresting depiction of an interesting milieu. Given the "symphony" title and Ruttman's clear preoccupation with pulsating rhythmic patterns in his earlier animation, perhaps the driving essence of the film as such is a study in rhythmic montage writ large, with its fast and slow movements in succession (proponents of montage were always obsessing over rhythm, really).

very enjoyable; far inferior to MAN WITH A MOVIE CAMERA. imagine vertov's film stripped of everything except its "day in the life" plot, and you've got this. in berlin. which is lovely, sure, but hardly profound. it is well worth noting that walter ruttmann co-wrote TRIUMPH OF THE WILL with leni riefenstahl.

I'm sure in 1927 an audiovisual movie as kinetic as this would be an astounding watch but coming from someone in 2014, it's a little tedious. Then again, I love audiovisual works, and there's a lot to admire here, because the rhythmic editing creates a nice pulse and Ruttmann's eye is excellent. Inferior to The Man With A Movie Camera, but if you're looking for a similar kind of experience, this is worth checking out.

a great exercise in flanerie! the shots composed were absolutely breathtaking, and the soundtrack, by basing itself in the sounds of the city definitely helped create the feel of a symphony of the city. the film definitely helped showcase the ordinary in a new, fascinating way.

Not quite The Man With the Movie Camera epic masterpiece filmmaking, but evocative and enchanting all the same.

An interesting use of the medium, with undeniably compelling visuals. Seems to shy away from any interesting juxtapositions just as they begin. It also ends on an abrupt dud, but worth seeing overall.

Like "Fellinni's Roma" it shows you a city in such a wonderful and deep way, that you would love to be a part of it. Also seen it with live music, which gave it even more magic.

#795

2 years before Vertov's 'Man With A Movie Camera'.

Very interesting movie! It feels like an ode to Berlin. For me the repetitive style didn't matter because there was still very much to see and dulge into. A Berlin that is long lost and therefore alone this movie is highly valuable.

791

Has many common parts with 20's city symphony films.

787

Not very enjoyable, impressive framing notwithstanding.

# 770