Review of Sunrise (1985) by Jonathan H — 15 Apr 2010

Held aloft by director F. W. Murnau's visual genius, Sunrise is one of the greatest silent films ever made, and a wonderful example of the medium's capabilities, then and now. Beautiful, dark and luminous, and astonishing even today, it has exerted a profound influence on countless subsequent films, and represents an undisputed pinnacle of the art form. The only thing inhibiting this film is its rather pedestrian, thinly plotted story -- but that's about the only critique to be found here.

Murnau's visual mastery, his marriage of expressionism, visual lyricism and the daring technological ambition of pre-sound Hollywood, shows silent cinema at its absolute pinnacle. Christopher Null wrote that Sunrise is the film for people who tend to avoid silent films. I think he's right. This film is so sophisticated in terms of style, formal technique, and innovation that it feels remarkably modern. Much like Amelie is the gateway drug into foreign film, maybe Sunrise is the gateway drug into silent film. If you're usually put off by these kind of films, check out Sunrise -- it may serve as an excellent entry point into the incredible world of silent cinema.