Sunrise A Song of Two Humans, Sequence Analysis

Sequenced analyzed for essay – Sunrise (part 4) on YouTube

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Sunrise a Song of Two Humans, Sequence Analysis

F.W. Murnau’s 1927 film Sunrise a Song of Two Humans constructs “… a text marked by fluid boundaries – junctions that trace the subtle connection between entities rather than their clear demarcation” (08).  Lucy Fischer’s 1998 thesis describes the total effect of Murnau’s narrative and cinematic devices.  The sequence in which the Man, George O’Brien, and the Wife, Janet Gaynor, travel to the city by trolley exemplifies Murnau’s use of mise-en-scene, cinematography, and editing to create a border crossing with emblematic significance.  The sequence begins when the Man fails to drown his Wife.  The Wife, terrified of his intentions, runs away boarding a passing trolley.  The Man follows her onto the trolley, beginning their transition into the city.  From here on the sequence will be referred to as ‘the trip to the city sequence.’