Sunrise
(1927)
In director F.W. Murnau's silent film classic - the
winner of the first 'Best Picture' Academy Award for "Artistic
Quality of Production":
- impressionistic visuals of the camera work, including
an impressive full-moon tracking shot
- the erotic seduction scene under a full moon of a
farmer (George O'Brien) who was first seen walking across a field
and entering a misty swamp (where the trees parted to reveal a temptress)
- he was greeted for a secret rendezvous by an awaiting wicked, black-clad
seductress (Margaret Livingston) who suggested: "Sell your farm...
come with me to the City"; she had plans to murder his young
wife (Oscar-winning Janet Gaynor) ("Couldn't she get drowned?")
- the tension in the attempted drowning/murder scene
- the scene of the young couple's tram ride into the
city
- the romantic reconciliation sequences of their romantic
day together in the city (as they kissed - the scenery changed behind
them from traffic to a country scene), including the church scene
- the loving reunion of the husband and presumed-drowned
wife after she had been found alive, but unconscious; the husband
was at his wife's bedside when she opened her eyes and turned her
head on the pillow toward her husband. Their lips slowly drew together
for a kiss, dissolving into the bright rays of an art-deco sun filling
the screen
- the word "Finis" floated upward to take
the place of the sun as the music dramatically swelled