After hearing about this film for years, this was NOT what I expected. I had only heard the first, dark part of the story and expected to be depressed.
Instead, Sunrise is an incredibly made, intense film about the power of love. George O'Brien is a farmer cheating on his wife (Janet Gaynor) - and she knows it. It causes her great sorrow, on top of which they have a baby.
O' Brien is cheating with a woman from the big city. She encourages him to drown his wife and use bulrushes so he can keep afloat after he kills her.
O'Brien sets the whole thing up, and in a suspenseful scene, looking at any moment he's going throw his terrified wife overboard, he chickens out.
When they get back on shore, a fragile Gaynor runs from him as he begs her forgiveness, apologizes, and buys her flowers.
Eventually she stops crying and relents, and the two end up in the big city at an amusement park, a restaurant, photographer's, and finally, a church while a wedding is going on. Gaynor walking arm and arm out of the church with her husband, and carrying the flowers he gave her, is one of the most sublime moments in the film.
The couple attempt to return home but run into danger.
What a beautiful, uplifting film with amazing sets and special effects. The director, F. W. Murnau, employs process shots and superimpositions to spectacular effect. The amusement park set is an absolute knockout.
Title cards were used sparingly as was sound, which was in its infancy.
Sunrise will stay with you for a long time. Almost 100 years old, the imagination and effects used are staggering.
Here one can take in the beauty and poetry of body language to express emotion and really appreciate the value of silent films.
So much artistry has been lost today. It is valuable to see what went before.
Instead, Sunrise is an incredibly made, intense film about the power of love. George O'Brien is a farmer cheating on his wife (Janet Gaynor) - and she knows it. It causes her great sorrow, on top of which they have a baby.
O' Brien is cheating with a woman from the big city. She encourages him to drown his wife and use bulrushes so he can keep afloat after he kills her.
O'Brien sets the whole thing up, and in a suspenseful scene, looking at any moment he's going throw his terrified wife overboard, he chickens out.
When they get back on shore, a fragile Gaynor runs from him as he begs her forgiveness, apologizes, and buys her flowers.
Eventually she stops crying and relents, and the two end up in the big city at an amusement park, a restaurant, photographer's, and finally, a church while a wedding is going on. Gaynor walking arm and arm out of the church with her husband, and carrying the flowers he gave her, is one of the most sublime moments in the film.
The couple attempt to return home but run into danger.
What a beautiful, uplifting film with amazing sets and special effects. The director, F. W. Murnau, employs process shots and superimpositions to spectacular effect. The amusement park set is an absolute knockout.
Title cards were used sparingly as was sound, which was in its infancy.
Sunrise will stay with you for a long time. Almost 100 years old, the imagination and effects used are staggering.
Here one can take in the beauty and poetry of body language to express emotion and really appreciate the value of silent films.
So much artistry has been lost today. It is valuable to see what went before.