Berlin: Symphony of a Great City

About Berlin: Symphony of a Great City

Berlin: Symphony of a Great City is a classic 1927 German film directed by Walter Ruttmann. This silent movie portrays one day in Berlin, beginning at the earliest morning and ends in the deepest night. It's a glimpse of metropolitan life from dawn till dusk, reflecting the hustle and bustle of the city, the rhythm of the time, and the lifestyle of the era, perfectly in harmony with the symphony, that's reminiscent of a ballet.

Making / Production

This monumental classic was the brainchild of director Walter Ruttmann. From the crack of dawn to the deepest night, Walter captures the spirit of Berlin in 1927. He does so by using avant-garde cinematic techniques, intercutting shots and sequences, portraying a fascinatingly real and authentic montage of the city and its inhabitants. The lack of a conventional plot or characters provides a unique documentary-style texture to the film.

Actors

This film being a silent documentary-cum-experimental film, there are no specific actors in the traditional sense. It's the city of Berlin and its inhabitants of the time that play the most significant roles. They brought the cityscape to life, adding a distinct character to it, narrating a story without dialogues.

Trivia / Interesting Facts about it

• The film is considered one of the most remarkable examples of the 'city symphony' genre that was popular during the 1920s.
• The term 'symphony' is adopted in the title because of the beautiful orchestration of visuals and accompanying music, which flow seamlessly together, reminiscent of a symphony orchestra.
• The director, Ruttmann, was a painter and constructor of abstract art films before making 'Berlin'.
• This movie was revolutionary during the time of its release for its visual style and editing techniques.

Awards

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Quotes

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Music, Soundtrack

• The original musical score was composed by Edmund Meisel, which was written for a full orchestra to be played live at each screening of the film.
• The melody underscores the rhythm of the city and became a defining feature of the film.
• The beat harmonizes with the scenes on the screen, a groundbreaking technique at the time.