Newsreel footage from 1904 gives us an opening to a fabulous documentary on the history of one of the busiest subway systems in the world that nearly 120 years later, is still running. This documentary was made during the days of the token, so it is quite a bit dated, but it's lots of fun to revisit just to see how the system worked then which many of the details are still in operation today. When you see a movie in the New York City subway, it's often a thrilling visit to the underground that makes you glad to not be there at that certain time.
The use of vintage footage through photos and newsreels really documents what has transpired in the period of 95 years from the beginning to when this was made. Any documentary on the New York City Subway or New York City in that matter is a history lesson, and you get a glimpse into many of the political and social aspects of how the building of the MTA impacted society.
Clever animation is used to documents the early years, and that's frankly more interesting than all the names that pop up in regards to who influenced each aspect of its building. We actually go back before 1904, to the Boss Tweed era of the 1870's and the attempts to build an underground that were very limited. Competitors of various subway lines made it impossible for the others to use theirs, and for years until it became one system, these competitors were literally at war with each other.
Then there is a visit to the lost property warehouse underneath 8th avenue, and it's hysterical to see what has been left behind. This documentary takes a light-hearted look 150 years of history, and is very entertaining with great narration. So while there may be no white or red zone for the loading and unloading of passengers only, there are gaps between the train and the platform edge, but there is no Gap in history other than the fact that a lot has changed in the 22 years since this was made.
The use of vintage footage through photos and newsreels really documents what has transpired in the period of 95 years from the beginning to when this was made. Any documentary on the New York City Subway or New York City in that matter is a history lesson, and you get a glimpse into many of the political and social aspects of how the building of the MTA impacted society.
Clever animation is used to documents the early years, and that's frankly more interesting than all the names that pop up in regards to who influenced each aspect of its building. We actually go back before 1904, to the Boss Tweed era of the 1870's and the attempts to build an underground that were very limited. Competitors of various subway lines made it impossible for the others to use theirs, and for years until it became one system, these competitors were literally at war with each other.
Then there is a visit to the lost property warehouse underneath 8th avenue, and it's hysterical to see what has been left behind. This documentary takes a light-hearted look 150 years of history, and is very entertaining with great narration. So while there may be no white or red zone for the loading and unloading of passengers only, there are gaps between the train and the platform edge, but there is no Gap in history other than the fact that a lot has changed in the 22 years since this was made.
