MovieChat Forums > Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans (1927) Discussion > I cannot believe this film. . .

I cannot believe this film. . .

posted 15 years ago by malcomforbes
3 replies | jump to latest

It is more powerful in parts than it appears. A few years ago, I saw this film and it took a "They're better than what most people think when they hear silent film" opinion on silent films, but had not been floored by one. TCM had a tendency of playing mainly fluff films that were pleasant and competent, but not particularly moving. Then, on night this came on and I was curios about it. From the first intertitle, I was intrigued, but by the time they wer ein the marsh I was amazed. I watched it alone recently without the wowed discussion of the technical innovation and I actually cried during the church/street fades away into meadow scene. I rarely cry at any film, and for a film with no sound other than a rough sounding score that really, really means something.

This bill is outrageous. If I were you I wouldn't pay it.

[–] BrianN 15 years ago

This is one of the silents that make "Silents" seem superior to "Talkies".

My favorite scene is still the bit where the husband gets out of the boat to tie the dog, and we see Janet Gaynor's shifting expressions. No tricky editing (is apparent), she doesn't find some "clue", it just appears to be her gut reaction to the behavior of the husband & dog. Such a scene is possible today, but I really believe sound would interfere with it.

[–] LittleVikingGirl 15 years ago

I completely agree with you and saw Sunrise myself under similar circumstances. I was on a business trip alone in my hotel eating takeout when I came across Sunrise while channel surfing. It had already started and I began watching it when George is rowing the boat to shore. I had no idea what had happened in the plot prior to that scene and for the rest of the film, my eyes were glued to the screen. I bawled when George falls to his knees outside the church and funny I didn't know what he was asking forgiveness for. I finished my business trip and went home, bought the movie on DVD and the rest is history.
I agree that dialogue would have ruined it.

[–] 15 years ago

[deleted]