Mechanical Principles

Mechanical Principles is a 1930 experimental short film directed by Ralph Steiner.
The short explores various mechanical concepts and principles through visual storytelling and cinematography.

Description

The film shows the inner workings of machines, capturing the precision of mechanical motion in detail. Each frame is crafted to showcase various particularities of in the mechanical world.

Production

The film was shot partly at the Chicago Museum of Science.

Reception

The film is considered to border "pure cinema". Jan-Christopher Horak wrote that "Mechanical Principles reveals that for Steiner any aspect of the visual world can fuel a fascination with sight." The film, part of the director's abstract trilogy, has been found "fascinating and more striking than Surf and Seaweed".