Eiffel's Race to the Top

Behind the iconic Eiffel Tower lies the story of an incredible challenge to erect a thousand-foot tower that went far beyond a design competition, and marked a major turning point in engineering history. It was the beginning of radical transformation where iron was pitted against stone, engineering against architecture, and modern design against ancients. Press campaigns, lobbying, public conferences, denigration of opposing projects, bragging about big names - all participants engaged in a fierce battle without concession. Using 3D recreations, official sources (reports, letters, drawings...) and intimate archives obtained from their descendants, this film will bring to life this vertical race through a fresh and visual way to mark the centenary of Eiffel death.

Cast

Marc Citti

Gustave Eiffel

François Rabette

Jules Bourdais

Léa Schwartz

Claire Eiffel

Régis Royer

Charles Garnier

Étienne Launay

Maurice Koechlin

Édouard Michelon

Émile Nouguier

Romans Suarez-Pazos

Édouard Lockroy

Cédric Zimmerlin

Amédée Sébillot

Luc-Emmanuel Betton

Gustave Ferrié

Bruno Ricci

Émile Trelat

Christophe Reymond

Jean-Louis Pascal

Laurent Lafuma

Joseph-Antoine Bouvard