High Rise and Fall

About This Movie

High Rise and Fall is a fascinating look at the architectural ambitions of the 1960s, focusing on Queen Elizabeth Square in Glasgow. It’s got that gritty, raw atmosphere typical of documentaries from that era. The film dives into the Brutalist movement and how Sir Basil Spence aimed to turn the Gorbals into something resembling Le Corbusier’s vision of a modern utopia. The pacing is a bit uneven but adds to its charm, allowing the viewer to soak in the stark contrasts of hope and decay that the buildings represent. Practical effects? Well, it's all real footage, which gives it an authenticity that's hard to replicate. The interviews provide a glimpse into the community's feelings, making it a complex tapestry of aspiration versus reality.

Examines Brutalist architecture in GlasgowFocus on community perspectivesFeatures archival footage and interviews