Mechanical Marvels: Clockwork Dreams poster
FilmDocumentary

Mechanical Marvels: Clockwork Dreams (2013)

2013-06-03 · 1h 0m · EN
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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.

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Simon SchafferWriterNic StaceyDirector

Media

Top billed cast

Full cast & crew →
Simon SchafferSimon SchafferHimself - PresenterIlan GoodmanIlan GoodmanJacques De VaucansonLaura HeathLaura HeathFlute PlayerJonathan BettsJonathan BettsHimself - Senior Curator of Horology, Royal Observatory Greenwich

Movie DNA

Genre affinityDocumentaryPacingShortDirector preference934980Actor preference784484 · 63139 · 958845Country preferenceGbDecade preference2010

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Frequently asked questions about Mechanical Marvels: Clockwork Dreams

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.

How long is Mechanical Marvels: Clockwork Dreams?

Mechanical Marvels: Clockwork Dreams has a runtime of 60 minutes.