source: Berlin: Symphony of a Great City

Berlin - Die Sinfonie der Großstadt

Ruttman offers a necessary counterpoint to Vertov, where instead of the city becoming dissolved in the kino-eye, Ruttman offers a more kaleidoscopic view of the city, instead of city as a tool of ideological expression (which, too is unprecedented by all means). His vision is closer to Atget, with multiple references to him too. Between the violence of movement and ennui of stasis , a masterpiece unfolds.

Every single frame is a painting. You can take a screenshot every second and all of them would be great. Master editing though it was in 1927.

"Berlin: Die Sinfonie der Grosstadt" or "Berlin: Symphony of a Great City" is not only evidence of the fact that "Großstadt" was once written with 2 s, but it is also a black-and-white silent film documentary about Germany's capital. This one is from almost 90 years ago, so it includes recordings exclusively from before the 2 wars. I have lived in Berlin for almost my entire life, which made me especially curious about this film that runs slightly over an hour. Unfortunately, I did not really make a connection with Ruttmann's work here. It's certainly nice to see people from back then and how they just live and interact with each other, but honestly without my knowledge that this is Berlin, I probably would not even have thought of that. There aren't really any famous places or so to see or anything you could recognize if you know Berlin. This is also why this documentary does not have half the charm I wished it would have. Not recommended.

"Berlin: Symphony of a Great City" is an art film that is pretty dull. However, it certainly does have a lot of historical importance. After all, the film shows a typical day in this city circa 1927--and by the end of WWII, most of it had been destroyed. In other words, it allows the viewer and historians to look back to a city and way of life that are gone. As for the movie, though, I just can't see why it has a current high rating of 7.9. This is very high--especially when it's a film with no real plot and which many viewers will become bored with after a while. After all, it consists of hundreds of clips all strung together to tell a tale of the city during a day--and that is all. It's competently made and of passing interest only. I like art films and documentaries--but this is a case of too much.

Ruttman's film is a spellbinding tour-de-force in photography, managing to dazzle the viewer with each shot. Not a frame is wasted in this, the most photographically influential film ever.

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.

This is a silent era documentary showing a day in the life of Berlin starting from the morning to the late night. It shows people and places in their day to day existence. It's artistic like showing the machinery at work. It's fascinating to see people in their everyday lives. It's amazing to see the places especially since most of them were destroyed in WWII. It's great to see living lives in this time era. This is a world in between the two Great Wars. The economic crash has yet to happen. It's a Germany which still functions with its old wealth and new technology. It's a working city. It's a great time capsule and a terrific movie by itself.