As the Eiffel Tower began to rise, a group of Parisian artists were upset about it. They sent a letter, complaining that the project was in bad taste (among other things).
Eiffel responded, and the project went forward despite the complaints. Minister Édouard Lockroy, who greatly believed in the tower and what it would mean for France, was instrumental in keeping a positive focus as building continued.
Sixty million kilograms of iron - amounting to about three pounds for each French citizen - were sent to Eiffel's shop to be shaped and molded for the tower. Once formed, those parts were sent to the work site on barges.
The beams - temporarily put together at the firm - would be permanently installed by about 200 riveters hired to assemble the pre-fabricated parts. They agreed to work six days a week, from sun-up to sun-down, with no breaks for holidays.
See, also:
Eiffel Tower - Video - The Original Idea and Sketch
Eiffel Tower - Video - Plans and Initial Construction
Eiffel Tower - Video - Riveters Work in Snow and Wind
Eiffel Tower - Video - Danger Bonuses and Unofficial Opening
Eiffel Tower - Video - Original Life Span of 20 Years
Eiffel Tower - Video - Telegraphy and Meteorology Experiments
Eiffel Tower - Video - Saved by the Battle of the Marne
Clip from True Legend of the Eiffel Tower
Director:
Simon Brook
Writers:
Simon Brook and Pascal Lainé
Key Cast Members:
Jacques Frantz - Gustave Eiffel
Annelise Hesme - Claire Eiffel
Nicolas Vaude - Edouard Barbier
Jean-Pierre Becker - Jean Compagnon
Marc Samuel - Minister Lockroy
Composer:
Laurent Petitgirard
Cinematographer:
Vincent Jeannot
Studio/Producer:
Co-production France-Switzerland-Belgium; Canal+ / Le Musée d'Orsay / RTL-TVi / Télévision Suisse-Romande (TSR) / VAB
Dubbed in English (from French)
Release Date: 2005
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