Moviecut—Sunrise

source: Sunrise

Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans

Sunrise, primely the finest and most beautiful love story of two humans, hailed for its simplicity and passion. When the married man is blinded by the dangerous beauty and persuaded to murder his innocent wife. He's life is then followed by a string in emotions of happiness, grief, anger, joy, shame and guilt. Temptation and fear weave a dangerous net, and "The Song of Two Humans" tells the purport in a moving, harrowing and heart-rending way about obsession, love and forgiveness(maybe a bit too unrealistic) depicted with exquisite pictures and cautious directing. In addition, almost the whole movie is told visually without relying on dialogue and instead expresses the tale with magnificent acting in both body language and facial expression.

This silent film is very impressive for its time. The way the film was shot and edited is astonishing for the year 1927. The visual quality is amazing from the way it has been shot, as it is still a clear and viewable film today. The use of sets interests me, and the fact that they went as far as to use double images, like the one where the man and his lover are laying in the grass. The story is portrayed without the use of words and I find this film to be very interesting, and a great peak into its time period from which it was created.

A beautiful, perfectly filmed story about love, passion, guilt, and redemption. In my opinion, his sin is unforgivable, but if you are able to get over that, you'll enjoy for sure. Camera, directing, acting, music, everything is perfect. The movie leans on German expressionism and it truly is visual work of art. This is the only movie in history to win Academy Award for Best Picture, Unique and Artistic Production, maybe because it was the single year that award existed, and maybe because no movies deserved it ever after. Besides that, it won Best Cinematography and Best Female Leading Role. The film keeps the attention and conveys strong emotions. This is the very best silent movie I ever saw. 8/10

A lot of film historians will tell you that Gone With the Wind was the first film that has the leading man crying on film. Clark Gable was said to be the first actor to do this. This is not so. In fact, George O'Brien is the first actor to do so. In the famous wedding scene, O'Brien breaks down in tears in front of his wife when he remembers back to the vow he took with his wife. Sunrise is one of the last great silent films that is filled with so many wonderful moments which helped it win the first and only Academy Award for Best Silent Film.

SUNRISE is easily the greatest film made in the silent era. Murnau's story (or filmed poem, according to the credits) is about a troubled farmer (George O'Brien) and his secret girlfriend (Margaret Livingston) plotting to murder his wife (Janet Gaynor, possibly the sweetest, most likable adult character in film history!) The storyline, the dark, moody photography, the creepy sets (especially that swamp!) makes you think this will be a thriller with an unhappy ending, much like AN AMERICAN TRAGEDY. About half-way through the film, Murnau pulls such a daring 180 degree turn with his film, you'll shake your head, and will love it. I doubt film-makers today would try for such a daring move! It is shame that Murnau died middle aged in 1931. Had he of lived another 30 years, and made films up until the age of Cinemascope, looser censorship, 60's technology, what great films we would have.

This is a really riveting film, sometimes thought to be the greatest of all. I tend to ignore the term "greatest," but it is a really dynamic and creative piece. It involves a man who becomes obsessed with sex and leaving his seemingly dull life. He meets a sort of flapper who wants to take him away to the big city. But first he must do away with his wife. When an attempt fails, things are thrown into chaos. Murnau is certainly about as inventive as any film director in history. When one realizes what he does in1927, it is astonishing. Both principals are very good. Of course, silent films do depend on emoting, but within its bounds this one seems to really work. An important element of this is whether we, the audience, can forgive this guy, let alone his wife.

A blinding drama and portrayal that anyone holding the experiences of the hazards encountered during the tricky travails of a relationship expiring will know only too well. Melodramatic, absolutely, but given the tools and instruments of the day it would have been difficult to be anything but, and therein lies its beauty, as the performances are as convincing, genuine and honest as any encountered on stage or screen today. Peel away your inhibitions, revel in a magnificent corona of emotion, torment and resurrection and let this outstanding visual experience sear into your soul, enlighten and forgive and provide a truly celestial piece of art, imagination and polarity.