Cult Review
Senior Film Conservator
If you have any interest in history or just like watching people do things that make your palms sweat, give it a go. It’s short, it’s loud, and it doesn't waste a second of your time. If you prefer your documentaries polished, color-corrected, and narrated by a celebrity, you’ll probably find this too raw and jarring.
Watching this made me think about The Hell Ship, mostly because both films deal with environments where a single slip-up means you’re done for. There’s no safety net here. Just guys in caps leaning way too far over the side of a half-finished bridge.
The pacing is honestly all over the place. One minute you're watching a steeplejack do something terrifying, and then it cuts to an oil field with zero transition. It’s like the editor was in a massive hurry to get home for dinner. Honestly, I kind of liked that about it.
You can tell the guy holding the camera is just as crazy as the workers he’s filming. There’s a moment where he leans out over a ledge, and you can see the shadow of the tripod shaking. It’s not smooth, it’s not artistic. It’s just real.
There's a scene near the middle that goes on for a bit too long, just watching a steel beam get hoisted into place. You start to lose track of time. Then, suddenly, a guy almost drops his wrench, and your heart jumps into your throat. It’s funny how a tiny bit of gravity makes everything feel so much more urgent. 🏗️
It’s not trying to make a statement about the economy or the plight of the worker. It’s just saying, "Hey, look at this guy standing on a wire." That’s enough. Maybe I’ve been watching too many modern movies that try to explain the meaning of life every five minutes, but this felt like a breath of fresh, albeit terrifying, air.
Is it a masterpiece? No. But it’s definitely not boring. If you see a steeplejack climbing a ladder that looks like it’s held together by thoughts and prayers, you’re going to keep watching. You can't help it. 👷♂️

Year
1935
IMDb Rating
—

Editorial
Deciphering the legacy of transgressive cult cinema.
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