Description

This new edition of Sunrise (for the first time anywhere in the world on Blu-ray) contains two versions of the film: the previously released Movietone version and an alternate silent version of the film, recently discovered in the Czech Republic, of a higher visual quality than any other known source. The culmination of one of the greatest careers in film history, F. W. Murnau s Sunrise blends a story of fable-like simplicity with unparalleled visual imagination and technical ingenuity. Invited to Hollywood by William Fox and given total artistic freedom on any project he wished, Murnau s tale of the idyllic marriage of a peasant couple (George O Brien and Janet Gaynor) threatened by a vamp-like seductress from the city (Margaret Livingston) created a milestone of film expressionism. Made in the twilight of the silent era, Sunrise became both a swan song for a vanishing medium and one of the few films to instantly achieve legendary status. Winner of three Oscars for Best Actress (Gaynor), Cinematography, and a never-repeated award for Unique and Artistic Picture , its influence and stature has only grown with each passing year. The Masters of Cinema Series is very proud to present Sunrise on Blu-ray and 2 x DVD. SPECIAL DUAL FORMAT EDITION Film-restored HD transfers of two different versions: Movietone and Czech Original English intertitles on the Movietone and optional English subtitles on the Czech Original Movietone score (mono) + alternate Olympic Chamber Orchestra score (stereo) Full-length audio commentary by cinematographer John Bailey on the Movietone version Rare outtakes with John Bailey commentary Murnau s 4 Devils: Traces of a Lost Film Janet Bergstrom s updated documentary Original theatrical trailer 20-page booklet with details of the film restorations and comparison of versions