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Sunrise

Original title: Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans
  • 1927
  • Passed
  • 1h 34m
IMDb RATING
8.1/10
52K
YOUR RATING
Janet Gaynor, Margaret Livingston, and George O'Brien in Sunrise (1927)
DramaRomance

A sophisticated city woman seduces a farmer and convinces him to murder his wife and join her in the city, but he ends up rekindling his romance with his wife when he changes his mind at the... Read allA sophisticated city woman seduces a farmer and convinces him to murder his wife and join her in the city, but he ends up rekindling his romance with his wife when he changes his mind at the last moment.A sophisticated city woman seduces a farmer and convinces him to murder his wife and join her in the city, but he ends up rekindling his romance with his wife when he changes his mind at the last moment.

  • Director
    • F.W. Murnau
  • Writers
    • Carl Mayer
    • Hermann Sudermann
    • Katherine Hilliker
  • Stars
    • George O'Brien
    • Janet Gaynor
    • Margaret Livingston
  • See production, box office & company info
  • IMDb RATING
    8.1/10
    52K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • F.W. Murnau
    • Writers
      • Carl Mayer
      • Hermann Sudermann
      • Katherine Hilliker
    • Stars
      • George O'Brien
      • Janet Gaynor
      • Margaret Livingston
    • 289User reviews
    • 112Critic reviews
    • 95Metascore
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Won 3 Oscars
      • 9 wins & 4 nominations total

    Videos1

    Scarlet Nexus
    Trailer 2:21
    Watch Scarlet Nexus

    Photos87

    F.W. Murnau, Margaret Livingston, George O'Brien, and Karl Struss in Sunrise (1927)
    George O'Brien in Sunrise (1927)
    Sunrise (1927)
    Margaret Livingston in Sunrise (1927)
    Janet Gaynor and George O'Brien in Sunrise (1927)
    Janet Gaynor and George O'Brien in Sunrise (1927)
    Sidney Bracey, Sally Eilers, Margaret Livingston, George O'Brien, and Harry Semels in Sunrise (1927)
    Janet Gaynor and George O'Brien in Sunrise (1927)
    George O'Brien in Sunrise (1927)
    Margaret Livingston and George O'Brien in Sunrise (1927)
    Janet Gaynor in Sunrise (1927)
    Sunrise (1927)

    Top cast

    Edit
    George O'Brien
    George O'Brien
    • The Man
    Janet Gaynor
    Janet Gaynor
    • The Wife
    Margaret Livingston
    Margaret Livingston
    • The Woman From the City
    Bodil Rosing
    Bodil Rosing
    • The Maid
    J. Farrell MacDonald
    J. Farrell MacDonald
    • The Photographer
    • (as J. Farrell McDonald)
    Ralph Sipperly
    • The Barber
    Jane Winton
    Jane Winton
    • The Manicure Girl
    Arthur Housman
    Arthur Housman
    • The Obtrusive Gentleman
    Eddie Boland
    • The Obliging Gentleman
    Herman Bing
    Herman Bing
    • Streetcar Conductor
    • (uncredited)
    Sidney Bracey
    Sidney Bracey
    • Dance Hall Manager
    • (uncredited)
    Gino Corrado
    Gino Corrado
    • Manager of Hair Salon
    • (uncredited)
    Vondell Darr
    • Little Girl
    • (uncredited)
    Sally Eilers
    Sally Eilers
    • Woman in Dance Hall
    • (uncredited)
    Gibson Gowland
    Gibson Gowland
    • Angry Driver
    • (uncredited)
    Fletcher Henderson
    Fletcher Henderson
    • Performer - Song: 'Tozo'
    • (uncredited)
    Leon Janney
    Leon Janney
    • Boy
    • (uncredited)
    Thomas Jefferson
    Thomas Jefferson
    • Old Seaman
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • F.W. Murnau
    • Writers
      • Carl Mayer
      • Hermann Sudermann
      • Katherine Hilliker
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      F.W. Murnau hated to use title cards in his films, so in Sunrise (1927), the title cards become more and more infrequent as the film progresses and virtually non-existent by the end.
    • Goofs
      The number of bottles left on the table after the piglet bumps it changes between shots. There are five bottles when the piglet bumps it, but when the Man comes in and grabs the piglet there are seven bottles on it.
    • Quotes

      [opening title cards]

      Title Card: This song of the Man and his Wife is of no place and every place; you might hear it anywhere, at any time.

      Title Card: For wherever the sun rises and sets, in the city's turmoil or under the open sky on the farm, life is much the same; sometimes bitter, sometimes sweet.

    • Alternate versions
      Two major versions of the film exist - the version for the American market, and the version for the Czech market. While obviously the same basic film, the Czech version is about 15 minutes shorter and features alternate angles/takes for much of the movie - this was not uncommon in the days of silent films when marketing them abroad.
    • Connections
      Edited into Histoire(s) du cinéma: Une vague nouvelle (1999)

    User reviews289

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    A story of two humans.
    SUNRISE is easily the greatest film made in the silent era. Murnau's story (or filmed poem, according to the credits) is about a troubled farmer (George O'Brien) and his secret girlfriend (Margaret Livingston) plotting to murder his wife (Janet Gaynor, possibly the sweetest, most likable adult character in film history!) The storyline, the dark, moody photography, the creepy sets (especially that swamp!) makes you think this will be a thriller with an unhappy ending, much like AN AMERICAN TRAGEDY. About half-way through the film, Murnau pulls such a daring 180 degree turn with his film, you'll shake your head, and will love it. I doubt film-makers today would try for such a daring move!

    It is shame that Murnau died middle aged in 1931. Had he of lived another 30 years, and made films up until the age of Cinemascope, looser censorship, 60's technology, what great films we would have.
    helpful•43
    9
    • boris-26
    • Dec 5, 2001

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    FAQ2

    • Is "Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans" based on a book?
    • Was "Sunrise" the first talkie?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • November 4, 1927 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Languages
      • None
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Izlazak sunca
    • Filming locations
      • Big Bear Lake, Big Bear Valley, San Bernardino National Forest, California, USA
    • Production company
      • Fox Film Corporation
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $200,000 (estimated)
    • Gross worldwide
      • $121,107
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 34 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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    Janet Gaynor, Margaret Livingston, and George O'Brien in Sunrise (1927)
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