DVDs in Review

Sunrise

Title: Sunrise (1927)

Release date: September 21 2009

Certificate: U

Format: Reviewed on DVD, available on Blu-ray

DVD RRP: £19.99

Rating: 5/5

Available for the first time ever in a pristine 1080p Blu-ray print, Eureka's Masters of Cinema range have reintroduced the definitive silent classic back onto the small screen.

This essential release contains two versions of FW Murnau's undisputed masterwork 'Sunrise' - the previously released Movietone version and an alternate version recently unearthed in Czech Republic.

The story is simple: A couple's idyllic marriage is threatened by a seductress, creating a love triangle. The husband even goes as far as planning to drown his wife to be with this new woman who has wormed her way into their lives.

Realising the error of his ways, he has to stumble through the city to get her back. It's city v country ideals, lust v love, guilt v innocence and plenty more.

Given that Murnau was drafted into the Hollywood elite and given complete creative control, it could be argued that this is the definitive film that he wanted to craft on his own terms. His signature is stamped across every breathtaking shot - to see it revitalised, it's hard to believe how old this is.

It's somewhat telling that it won an Oscar that has never been repeated since - The Academy Award for the most Unique and Artistic Picture. A fitting title indeed…

Eureka's DVD contains a commentary, 40 minute documentary, a mammoth booklet and a digital handwritten photo script (accessible as a PDF). Silent film fans or even just lovers of art-deco styling will cherish this.