"Twenty Four Dollar Island" (1927) - Robert Flaherty

This film, directed by pioneering documentary and ethnographic filmmaker Robert Flaherty, focuses on the history of Manhattan, the island center of New York City. In 1626, Dutch traders bought Manhattan for $28 of beads and gift product. Within 30 years, there were 1,000 residents, and 300 years later, there were 8 million. This film celebrates the muscle, size, and majesty of Manhattan, starting at the river's edge where a huge-jawed steam shovel dredges. It's on to an ocean liner, then to a hole in the ground where men swing pickaxes, sledgehammers, and shovels. The camera then slowly examines a stately building by the shore. Behind and beside it is the city. (imdb.com)