Modern viewers may have difficulty sitting through a viewing of Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans. While the long silent film has no major chase scenes or explosions, it does feature stunning cinematography that remains impressive over time.

The use of light and dark in Sunrise is especially noteworthy. The filmmakers use varying amounts of light to create feeling and atmosphere. When the Man moves toward his Wife in order to kill her, the light suddenly becomes dim and feelings of fear and foreboding enter the scene. On the other hand, when the Man and his Wife enjoy their time in the city, the sun shines brightly upon them, creating feelings of love, romance and optimism.

The filmmakers also make heavy use of symbolism in this film. The storms in the film are both motifs that help tell the story and symbols of the...