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.
Marc CittiGustave Eiffel
François RabetteJules Bourdais
Léa SchwartzClaire Eiffel
Régis RoyerCharles Garnier
Étienne LaunayMaurice Koechlin
Édouard MichelonÉmile Nouguier
Romans Suarez-PazosÉdouard Lockroy
Cédric ZimmerlinAmédée Sébillot
Bruno RicciÉmile Trelat
Christophe ReymondJean-Louis Pascal
Laurent LafumaJoseph-Antoine Bouvard