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Master Rank #545

Before Sunrise

1995

GCML Total8.2640% Greatness · 40% Engagement · 20% Ease

Directed by Richard Linklater

CastEthan Hawke · Julie Delpy

USA / AustriaEnglishDrama / Romance105 minR
IMDb Top 250Narrative FeatureModerate pace
Find Where to Watch
Original poster artwork · Great Cinema Master List
Berlin · 1

Spoiler-free premise

An American traveler and a French student meet on a train and spend one night walking through Vienna.

Read expanded premiseLonger, still spoiler-free

American traveler Jesse meets French student Céline on a train from Budapest and persuades her to leave with him in Vienna. With his flight departing the next morning, they walk through the city talking about family, love, death, belief, and possible futures.

Why it belongs

Through walking, real duration, Vienna spaces, and Hawke and Delpy's alert discovery of each other, Before Sunrise makes conversation cinematic.

Read expanded why it belongsThe fuller editorial case

Trams, a record booth, cemetery, Ferris wheel, café tables, riverbanks, and long moving takes let ideas arise from place and time—Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy make listening as active as speaking.

Major award record

Metadata only · zero points in 40/40/20
Berlin1 win1995 · official festival record ↗
Silver Bear for Best Director1995 · Richard Linklaterofficial festival record ↗

Totals include every recorded competitive win. Only Picture or top-film honors, Direction, Screenplay, and lead or supporting performances are named.

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