The film brings the past to life in vivid detail as we see how and why these masterpieces were built. Travelling around Europe, Simon uncovers the history of these machines and shows us some of the most spectacular examples, from an entire working automaton city to a small boy who can be programmed to write and even a device that can play chess.
All the machines Simon visits show a level of technical sophistication and ambition that still amazes today.
Guinness Collection of Automatic Musical Instruments and Automata
Demonstration of David Roentgen's Automaton of Queen Marie Antoinette, The Dulcimer Player
The Draughtsman-Writer
Automaton in the Form of a Monk
Reproduction of the Chess Player (The Turk)
Clock in the Form of Diana on Her Chariot, ca.1610
Miraculous Writing Machine
Musical Automaton Clock with Spinet and Organ
Clock in the Form of an Elephant, ca.1600