Short but sweet
K. Gittins | CA USA | 10/01/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This is a nice documentary about the Eiffel tower, built in 1889, and rising over 1,000 feet. It would remain the tallest man-made structure for 40 years.
Designed by renowned iron-bridge builder Gustave Eiffel in response to a contest, the tower was built in slightly over 2 years in a manner and contruction method similar to an erector set - plates, angles and bars of iron, held together by 2,500,000 rivets.
Although originally planned to be torn down after 20 years, the tower remained up partly due to Eiffel's campaigning to have it saved, but also the fact that it made a really good radio antenna which allowed the French to listen in on the Germans in the years before WWI.
The DVD covers the development and design, some political atmosphere of the times, some French history, the current maintenance schedule, and status as a tourist attraction - which has had 380 suicide jumpers and one really stupid guy trying to fly in a bird-suit in the early 1900's.
The DVD itself has no features beyond chapters. It's a bit pricey for a documentary that does not even run the claimed 50 minutes, however, coming in at just 46 minutes long."
Eiffel Tower DVD
Jeannie MonteithCampbell | Harrison, AR United States | 03/08/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This DVD was a wonderful addition to my classroom library. Expands on what our textbook tells students about this engineering marvel."