Before Sunrise (1995)

A young man and woman meet on a train in Europe, and wind up spending one romantic evening together in Vienna. Unfortunately, both know that this will probably be their only night together.

Director:

Richard Linklater

Writers:

Richard Linklater, Kim Krizan

Stars:

Ethan Hawke, Julie Delpy, Andrea Eckert

1 win & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Ethan Hawke	...	Jesse
Julie Delpy	...	Celine
Andrea Eckert	...	Wife on Train
Hanno Pöschl	...	Husband on Train
Karl Bruckschwaiger	...	Guy on Bridge
Tex Rubinowitz	...	Guy on Bridge
Erni Mangold	...	Palm Reader
Dominik Castell	...	Street Poet
Haymon Maria Buttinger	...	Bartender
Harald Waiglein	...	Guitarist in Club
Bilge Jeschim	...	Belly Dancer
Kurti	...	Percussionist
Hans Weingartner	...	Cafe Patron
Liese Lyon	...	Cafe Patron
Peter Ily Huemer	...	Cafe Patron

Storyline

American tourist Jesse and French student Celine meet by chance on the train from Budapest to Vienna. Sensing that they are developing a connection, Jesse asks Celine to spend the day with him in Vienna, and she agrees. Passing the time before his scheduled flight the next morning. How do two perfect strangers connect so intimately over the course of a single day? What is that special thing that bonds two people so strongly? As their bond turns to love, what will happen to them the next morning when Jesse flies away?

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Plot Keywords:

train | american | french | love | europe | 

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Taglines:

Jump on and live a Eurorail journey you will never forget!

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for some strong language

Details

Country:

USA Austria Switzerland

Language:

English German French

Release Date:

27 January 1995 (USA)

Also Known As:

Antes del amanecer

Filming Locations:

Austria

Box Office

Budget:

$2,500,000 (estimated)

Gross:

$5,400,000 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Castle Rock Entertainment, Detour Filmproduction, Filmhaus Wien Universa Filmproduktions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

105 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Richard Linklater:  playing "fussball" in the club scene.

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Goofs

In Vienna, Jesse talks about his obsessive relationship with "Miss July, 1978" of Playboy magazine, then asks Celine if she knows Crystal. Playboy's Miss July 1978 was actually Karen Morton, cousin of 1970s model Elaine Morton.

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Quotes

Celine: No, then it's like some male fantasy. Meet a French girl on the train, fuck her, and never see her again.

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Crazy Credits

Closing dedication: In Memory Of My Grandparents Thelma and Charles Krieger Ada and Cecil Harmon Shirley and Charles Linklater

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Connections

Followed by Before Sunset (2004)

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Soundtracks

"Yakety Sax"
Composed by Boots Randolph and James Rich
Performed by Boots Randolph
Courtesy of Masters International

User Reviews

The beauty is the simplicity of magnificent human emotion.

'Before Sunrise' is not a film to be scrutinised, nor studied. The absolute beauty of it lies in its perfection as a simple love story - of two lives suddenly thrown together in the midst of reality, and the ensuing night of simple love that follows. Every individual at some time in life dreams of the connection that is portrayed in this film between Jesse and Celine, and few ever find it. 'Before Sunrise' simply and elegantly demonstrates how the most fundamental passions of human emotion can envelope two complete strangers. The beauty of this film is that the story is the most important element. The ending is both provocative and emotional - scenes of the night previously seen in darkness are now portrayed in lonely daylight as the sun rises and the story closes on these two characters.

I saw this film by accident one night late on television. I have never forgotten it. So well is it made that the audience never question if this could ever really happen in life, reality being so absolutely characterised in it.

'Before Sunrise' is simply the story of two strangers bound in Vienna's lonely night splendour - one night of love in all its glory, one superb piece of film making.