Reviewer:
compoundeye
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favoritefavoritefavoritefavoritefavorite -
November 20, 2011
Subject:
Superb amateur produced video!
I learnt about the Schwebebahn aged 12, as my German textbook used Wuppertal in all it's examples, and have been fascinated ever since...
This film is absolutely brilliant, and thoughtfully constructed - featuring footage of the entire Schwebebahn line from end to end, including the return-journey '180' at Vohwinkel as well as lots of driver's view footage and local views under & around the track.
One thing which really makes this film so enjoyable - besides the superb footage - is the film maker's restraint with the sound... No ill-conceived hesitant rambling narration, just the ambient sounds of the Schwebebahn, it's drivers, passengers and street noise. For me, that choice was definitely the right one... It was like being on the 'bahn myself, instead of watching some uneasy 'fan-doc'. Any useful or punctuating information is conveyed by brief occassional on-screen captions and the level of them is spot on.
Full marks to this film maker for letting the 'bahn and the German scenery do all the talking, as well as for finding interesting angles of what could otherwise have been a very repetitive 'linear' subject.
I like this film a lot, and can see myself playing it through it's entire hour, every now & then.