Pacific 231

Footage of a freight train is used to illustrate Arthur Honegger's orchestral piece "Pacific 231". This short film, which is like a superior, live action segment of "Fantasia", won a short subject award at Cannes in 1949.

there's something about the inexorable forward momentum of trains that never fails to make for an enjoyable experimental film.

I get really turned off when a film begins with a mission statement. They tell us this is not a documentary, but an attempt at establishing a certain atmosphere. I guess it succeeds, as the rhythmic cutting certainly suggests a train in motion. But this seems more like a demonstration reel illustrating editing techniques than a worthwhile project in its own right.