Mechanical Marvels: Clockwork Dreams (2013)
Documentary presented by Professor Simon Schaffer which charts the amazing and untold story of automata - extraordinary clockwork machines designed hundreds of years ago to mimic and recreate life. The film brings the past to life in vivid detail as we see how and why these masterpieces were built. Travelling around Europe, Simon uncovers the history of these machines and shows us some of the most spectacular examples, from an entire working automaton city to a small boy who can be programmed to write and even a device that can play chess. All the machines Simon visits show a level of technical sophistication and ambition that still amazes today.
Director: Nic Stacey
Genre: Documentary
Runtime: 60 min
Release Date: June 3, 2013
Cast
- Simon Schaffer - Himself - Presenter
- Ilan Goodman - Jacques De Vaucanson
- Laura Heath - Flute Player
- Jonathan Betts - Himself - Senior Curator of Horology, Royal Observatory Greenwich
Screenplay
Production: Furnace
Country: United Kingdom
Language: English
Original Language: en
Keywords
engineering, clockwork
More Films by Director: Nic Stacey
More Films in Genre: Documentary
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Mechanical Marvels: Clockwork Dreams about?
- Documentary presented by Professor Simon Schaffer which charts the amazing and untold story of automata - extraordinary clockwork machines designed hundreds of years ago to mimic and recreate life. The film brings the past to life in vivid detail as we see how and why these masterpieces were built. Travelling around Europe, Simon uncovers the history of these machines and shows us some of the most spectacular examples, from an entire working automaton city to a small boy who can be programmed to write and even a device that can play chess. All the machines Simon visits show a level of technical sophistication and ambition that still amazes today.
- Who directed Mechanical Marvels: Clockwork Dreams?
- Mechanical Marvels: Clockwork Dreams was directed by Nic Stacey.
- Who stars in Mechanical Marvels: Clockwork Dreams?
- Mechanical Marvels: Clockwork Dreams stars Simon Schaffer, Ilan Goodman, Laura Heath, Jonathan Betts.
- How long is Mechanical Marvels: Clockwork Dreams?
- Mechanical Marvels: Clockwork Dreams has a runtime of 1h 0m (60 minutes).
- What genre is Mechanical Marvels: Clockwork Dreams?
- Mechanical Marvels: Clockwork Dreams is a Documentary film.
- Where was Mechanical Marvels: Clockwork Dreams produced?
- Mechanical Marvels: Clockwork Dreams was produced in United Kingdom.