Bud Werner Memorial Library

Sunrise (1927) is regarded by many critics as one of the most beautiful films ever made, and is an excellent introduction to the power of silent film as art and entertainment. The Mont Alto Motion Picture Orchestra will perform a live musical score, using music of the period.

Janet Gaynor and George O’Brien star in a fable about a husband and wife from the country re-building their destroyed marriage on a fantastic trip to the city. German director F.W. Murnau, known for his "German Expressionist" films like Nosferatu and The Last Laugh, was brought to America by Twentieth Century Fox to make a “prestige” film. The film blends elements of the German Expressionist style and special effects with pure Hollywood romance, comedy, and acting. The film met Fox’s expectations, winning a special Academy Award for “Most Artistic Production,” and contributed to Janet Gaynor winning the first Academy Award for Best Actress.

About the musicians: Mont Alto Motion Picture Orchesra
Based in Louisville, Colorado, The Mont Alto Orchestra is a five-piece ensemble that has become nationally-known for its historic, sensitive, and beautifully-played silent film scores.

Run time: 94 min.

About Silent Nights @ BWML
As Hollywood revisits the magic of the Silent Film genre by making brand-new films like The Artist, Hugo and Louis during the past year, Bud Werner Memorial Library invites you to explore the Silent Film Era's classics. These pre-1928 films were originally created without synchronized recorded sound, with live musicians often accompanied the screenings. Throughout the series, the library presents silent films with live musicians as well as films with recordings that have been scored by the Mont Alto Motion Picture Orchestra.


THANK YOU to Bear Claw Condominiums/BREO Inc. for their generous support of this program!