Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans
Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans

Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans

1927Movie94 minEnglish

A married farmer falls under the spell of a slatternly woman from the city, who tries to convince him to drown his wife.

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Insights

IMDb8.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes96%
Metacritic100
Google Users95%
Director: F. W. MurnauGenres: Romance, Drama, Film-Noir

Plot Summary

A man from the city visits a farmer and his wife, attempting to seduce the wife into murdering her husband. The farmer succumbs to the temptation of the city woman and plans to drown his wife while on a trip to the city. However, his wife overhears the plan, and they reconcile, finding solace in each other amidst their tumultuous emotions.

Critical Reception

Critically acclaimed upon its release and retrospectively hailed as a masterpiece of silent cinema, "Sunrise" is celebrated for its innovative cinematography, emotional depth, and groundbreaking visual storytelling. It is widely regarded as one of the greatest films ever made.

What Reviewers Say

  • A visually stunning and emotionally resonant exploration of love and betrayal.
  • Praised for its pioneering camera work and expressionistic style.
  • Considered a pinnacle of cinematic art and a testament to F.W. Murnau's directorial genius.

Google audience: Audiences consistently laud "Sunrise" for its breathtaking beauty, powerful performances, and enduring emotional impact, often describing it as a profound and unforgettable cinematic experience.

Awards & Accolades

Won the Academy Award for Unique and Artistic Picture at the 1st Academy Awards. Nominated for Best Actress (Janet Gaynor) and Best Cinematography.

Fun Fact

The iconic shot of the woman rising from the water was achieved by using a glass plate in front of the camera to create a dreamlike effect, a technique that was highly innovative for its time.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

2 reviews
CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

Wow! Friedrich Murnau really did pull out all of the stops for this gorgeously complex and beautiful story - that is entirely based on human character flaws that ordinarily might make one squirm... None of the characters actually have names...
Andres Gomez

Andres Gomez

Interesting but much more for how the movies were done back in 1927 and how the relationships between men and women were understood.