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SECRETS OF THE DEAD: Eiffel's Race to the Top

Gustave Eiffel is behind his desk, his daughter on his right, his associates are showing him calculation for the tower.
Courtesy of ZED
/
PBS
Gustave Eiffel is behind his desk, his daughter on his right, his associates are showing him calculation for the tower.

Encore Thursday, Nov. 9, 2023 at 8 p.m. on KPBS 2 / Stream now with the PBS App

The Eiffel Tower is the symbol of a major turning point in architectural history, and it owes its existence to a fierce duel between two men. "Eiffel's Race to the Top" tells the story of the hard-won victory of a visionary over his determined rival. 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's death.

SECRETS OF THE DEAD: Preview | Eiffel's Race to the Top

Film Interviewees:

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  • Barry Bergdoll – Architectural Historian, Columbia University
  • Michel Carmona – Biographer of Gustave Eiffel
  • Julie Gimbal – Architectural Historian
  • Bertrand Lemoine – Architect and Architectural Historian
  • Claudine Philouze-Chatty – Engineer and Art Historian
  • Isabelle Morin Loutrel – Curator of Historical Monuments
  • Jean-Michel Leniaud – Art Historian and Biographer of Charles Garnier
SECRETS OF THE DEAD: Gustave Eiffel’s Credentials

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First real sketch of the eiffel tower with other major monuments in the margin of the page for reference, the sketch is on a brown desk.
Courtesy of ZED
/
PBS
First real sketch of the eiffel tower with other major monuments in the margin of the page for reference, the sketch is on a brown desk.
Claire Eiffel, Gustave Eiffel and his associate are reading a newspaper.
Courtesy of ZED
Claire Eiffel, Gustave Eiffel and his associate are reading a newspaper.

Credits: A ZED production for ARTE France in association with The WNET Group, in association with FTV Prima, Movistar Plus+, TV5MONDE, RTBF Documentary Unit, TV5 Québec, and RSI. Written and directed by Mathieu Schwartz and Savin Yeatman-Eiffel. Narrated by Jay O. Sanders. Produced by Gaëlle Guyader. For ZED: Manuel Catteau is executive producer; Claire Bénard is general manager. For SECRETS OF THE DEAD: Benjamin Phelps is supervising producer; Stephanie Carter is executive producer; Stephen Segaller is executive in charge.

A close-up of the Eiffel Tower.
Courtesy of ZED
/
PBS
A close-up of the Eiffel Tower.