Rent Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans (1927)
4.0 of 5 from 156 ratings
1h 31min
- General info
- Available formats
- Synopsis:
F. W. Murnau, Germany's finest director, was imported to Hollywood in July 1926. William Fox of the Fox Film Corporation promised and gave him complete artistic freedom. Fox told Murnau to take his time, spend whatever he had to, and make any film he wished to make. The film that resulted was Sunrise, made entirely without studio interference. Sunrise, a psychological thriller from the silent movie era, begins when the pleasant and peaceful life of a naive country Man (George O'Brien) is turned upside down when he falls for a cold-blooded yet seductive Woman from the City (Margaret Livingston). She persuades him to drown his virtuous Wife (Janet Gaynor) in order to be with her. This is one of the most moving stories ever told on screen - a tale of temptation, reconciliation, reconsecration, and redemption, told with a lyrical simplicity that gives it the timeless universality of a fable. - Actors:
- George O'Brien, Janet Gaynor, Margaret Livingston, Bodil Rosing, J. Farrell MacDonald, Ralph Sipperly, Jane Winton, Arthur Housman, Eddie Boland, Vondell Darr, Herman Bing, Sidney Bracey, Gino Corrado, Sally Eilers, Gibson Gowland, Fletcher Henderson, Thomas Jefferson, Bob Kortman, F.W. Murnau, Barry Norton
- Directors:
- F.W. Murnau
- Producers:
- William Fox
- Writers:
- Carl Mayer, Hermann Sudermann
- Others:
- Louise Dresser, Charles Rosher, Karl Struss, Rochus Gliese
- Studio:
- Eureka
- Genres:
- Classics, Drama, Romance
- Collections:
- 10 Films to Watch if You Like A Star Is Born, 100 Years of German Expressionism, Film History, Films to Watch If You Like..., Holidays Film Collection, Masters of Cinema, Romantic Film Pairings for Valentine's Day, A Brief History of Film..., The Instant Expert's Guide, The Instant Expert's Guide to: Éric Rohmer, The Last Laugh: The Film That Changed Cinema, Top 10 Autumn Films, Top 10 Best Last Films: World Cinema, Top 10 Best Picture Follow-Ups, Top 10 Czech Films, Top 10 Screen Kisses (1896-1979), Top 100 AFI Movies, Top 100 AFI Passions, Top Films
- Awards:
- BBFC:
- Release Date:
- 21/09/2009
- Run Time:
- 93 minutes
- Languages:
- Czech Dolby TrueHD 1.0, English Dolby TrueHD 1.0, Silent
- Subtitles:
- English
- Formats:
- Pal
- Aspect Ratio:
- Full Screen 1.37:1
- Colour:
- B & W
- BLU-RAY Regions:
- B
- Bonus:
- Film-restored HD transfers of two different versions: Movietone and Czech Original English intertitles on the Movietone and optional English subtitles on the Czech
- Original Movietone score (mono) + alternate Olympic Chamber Orchestra score (stereo)
- Full-length audio commentary by cinematographer John Bailey on the Movietone version
- Rare outtakes with John Bailey commentary
- MURNAU'S 4 DEVILS: TRACES OF A LOST FILM - Janet Bergstrom's updated documentary Original Theatrical Trailer
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Reviews (2) of Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans
Silent Classic. - Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans review by Steve
FW Murnau's dazzling expressionism and stunning camera effects make this a film unlike any other. The lavish deco sets of the big city recall the ambition of Metropolis. It is the ultimate example of the visual reach of silent cinema, which achieved its apogee just as it was made redundant by Al Jolson singing Mammy in the Jazz Singer.
It is a simple tale of a rural couple whose marriage is threatened by poverty and a predatory woman from the city. She convinces the husband to kill his wife and be free. He proves unable to do so, but the wife gets the idea... He must seek her forgiveness... but fate has a final twist to impart.
George O'Brien and Janet Gaynor are devastating as the couple, and then poignantly comical as they rediscover their love on a trip to the bright lights. There's a sweet scene when they walk out of a church having watched a wedding, and the passing public assume it is they who just got married.
The story is realistic, but the frame is full of enchantment. It's a heartbreaker, but artistic too, and that's the magic of Murnau's achievement and his testament. And the wonder of all cinema. A hundred years on, he still spellbinds his audience, and provokes our tears.
0 out of 0 members found this review helpful.
Sunrise Report - Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans review by NO
Didnt know it was a Silent Film-very melodramatic,simple story & very dated.Probably in its time original but by modern standards it doesnt stand up as a resonable watch. Glad that I have now seen it & can write it off my bucket list.
Norman.
0 out of 3 members found this review helpful.