Review of Sunrise (1985) by Mark S — 01 Feb 2012

It's hard to believe this film was made in 1927. It's a tragedy that Murnau died in a car accident four years after making it, not only because he was still so young but also because who knows what other classics he could have gone on to make.

But maybe he was simply an ideal director for his time - his style of expressionism is absolutely perfect for the silent medium. Not only did I not miss there being no dialogue for this film, but I think I would have found any dialogue an affront to what is a fully-realised visual masterpiece.

Murnau's symbolic imagery, George O'Brien's hunched shoulders and clenched fists, and Janet Gaynor's big, doll-like eyes tell you all you need to know. There are some brilliant tracking shots; the world shown on screen is quite surreal and dream-like and very memorable; and the intense emotion on display combined with a bit of light relief make this an absolute rollercoaster ride of a film.

As soon I'd finished watching it I wanted to watch it again. Beautiful.