Ben's Mill (1982) User Reviews

Fascinating Documentary

[xnobozos · 10/10 · 20 February 2013]

I haven't seen this documentary in well over 20 years. My cousin had recorded it on his VCR back in the 1980s and I watched it at his home at least four times. It's about a man who uses and maintains a 19th century water powered workshop. Ben is basically a blacksmith who creates items needed by local farmers. Items they can't just order out of a catalog. It was almost hypnotic the way this man could do almost anything in that water powered mill. From creating a sled for moving logs to modifying a garden fork into a sod removal tool. Even though he had electricity, he let the falling water power the machinery, not so much for historical reasons, but for practicality. The overhead leather transmission belts and wooden pulleys and shafts were fascinating to watch. Ben's skill, ingenuity and abilities just seem inexhaustible. Unfortunately, when my cousin passed away 13 years ago, his family threw away all of his video tapes before I could rescue any of them. If you ever get a chance to see this documentary, definitely watch it and see an example of what things were like before the modern era. I hope I get to see this again sometime.

Great water-mill powered woodworking documentary.

[CinemaZealot57 · 10/10 · 2 May 2006]

I'm really surprised that after 25 years since this hour long show was aired that no one has commented on it. I know that the internet hasn't been around that long, but this highly informative documentary has. If you like all the old time nostalgia of a water powered mill this is right up your alley. It goes into great detail how the energy from the river is used to drive the multitudes of leather belts used to drive the various machines. The best part is the detailed showing of the steps Ben uses to make one of his white pine watering tanks. If you've ever wanted to build one of these just watch this show and you'll know what to do. You could always adapt one of these to be a jacuzzi you know. It's a good opportunity to watch something that shows the country side of Vermont. If you're interested you can Google "Ben's Mill" and you'll be able to find the days and hours and you can go see the place for yourself. I rated this a 10 because it is really a very good show.