A pulsing, kaleidoscope of images set to an energetic soundtrack. A young women swings in a garden; a woman's face smiles. The rest is spinning cylinders, pistons, gears and turbines, ...
See full summary »
Ricky Whittle picks between new and old Hollywood to choose his favorite director, Disney song, and more.
Related News
-
L’Inhumaine
21 February 2016 | Trailers from Hell -
‘Imitation of Life,’ ‘Being There,’ ‘Ghostbusters,’ and More Added to National Film Registry
16 December 2015 | The Film Stage -
Yael Bartana: And Europe Will Be Stunned; Elizabeth Price: Here – review
12 May 2012 | The Guardian - Film News
User Lists
Related lists from IMDb users
Share this Rating
Title: Ballet mécanique (1924)
Want to share IMDb's rating on your own site? Use the HTML below.
Learn more
More Like This
Ghosts Before Breakfast
(1928)
Short
Director:
Hans Richter
Stars:
Werner Graeff,
Walter Gronostay,
Paul Hindemith
La coquille et le clergyman
(1928)
Short
Director:
Germaine Dulac
Stars:
Alex Allin,
Genica Athanasiou,
Lucien Bataille
L'étoile de mer
(1928)
Short
|
Romance
Director:
Man Ray
Stars:
Kiki of Montparnasse,
André de la Rivière,
Robert Desnos
Short
|
Drama
Directors:
Robert Florey,
Slavko Vorkapich
Stars:
Jules Raucourt,
Voya George,
Robert Florey
Ménilmontant
(1926)
Short
|
Drama
|
Mystery
Director:
Dimitri Kirsanoff
Stars:
Nadia Sibirskaïa,
Yolande Beaulieu,
Guy Belmont
Edit
Cast
| Uncredited cast: | |||
 |
Kiki of Montparnasse | ... | Smiling girl (uncredited) |
|
|
Fernand Léger | ... | (uncredited) |
| Dudley Murphy | ... | (uncredited) | |
|
|
Katherine Murphy | ... | (uncredited) |
|
|
Katrin Murphy | ... | Girl with a flower (uncredited) |
Edit
Plot Summary
|
Add Synopsis
See All (6) »
Storyline
A pulsing, kaleidoscope of images set to an energetic soundtrack. A young women swings in a garden; a woman's face smiles. The rest is spinning cylinders, pistons, gears and turbines, kitchen objects in concentric circles or rows - pots, pan lids, and funnels, cars passing overhead, a spinning carnival ride. Over and over, a heavy-set woman climbs stairs carrying a large bag on her shoulder. An Art Deco cartoon figure appears, dancing. This is a world in motion, dominated by mechanical and repetitive images, with a few moments of solitude in a garden. Written by <jhailey@hotmail.com>
Plot Keywords:
reference to charlie chaplin | abstract film | dada | surrealism | experimental film |Genres:
ShortParents Guide:
Add content advisory for parents »
Edit
See full technical specs »
Details
Country:
FranceRelease Date:
24 September 1924 (Austria) See more »Also Known As:
Balet mechaniczny See more »Company Credits
Show more on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
| (Kiesler)Sound Mix:
SilentColor:
Black and WhiteAspect Ratio:
1.33 : 1
Edit
Did You Know?
Trivia
George Antheil wrote the score for this film, but due to various disagreements - including that Antheil's original version of the music ran 30 minutes while the film was only 16 minutes - the film was premiered without the original music. The film and music were first shown together on 25 August 2000 in Antwerp, Belgium, at the Cultuurmarkt van Vlaanderen. The film print with music was created by Paul Lehrman. See more »Alternate Versions
There are various existing versions of this film. However, the one thought to be closest to the version premiered in Vienna in 1924 is a print found in 1975 by Lillian Kiesler, widow of Frederick Kiesler, who arranged the premiere. This version has been preserved by Anthology Film Archives of New York. See more »Frequently Asked Questions
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.See what movies and TV series you can watch for free today, and visit IMDb Freedive for even more. Select any poster below to play the movie!
Explore popular movies available to rent or buy on Prime Video.
I was lucky enough to see 'Ballet Mécanique' some eight months ago at a screening of Dadaist films which included work by the likes of Hans Richter and Oskar Fischinger, and this stood out as being the highlight of the programme.
Certainly now one of my favourite films, Léger's vision came about as close to the ideal of synaesthesia as anyone has ever achieved - the visuals are so synchronised with the soundtrack that the filmic experience takes on an entirely new dimension, completely mesmerising the viewer.
Such is 'Ballet Mécanique' that words can do it little justice - the title alone perhaps best describes it. If you get the chance to view this rather obscure masterpiece, make sure you do.