Start a free trial Thousands of TV series and movies to watch instantly. Already a member?

Enter PIN

Please enter your 4 digit PIN

x

Sunshine Details

1999 Certificate 15
  • 60
  • from 2064 members

Director Istvan Szabo's SUNSHINE is an epic tale that follows the Hungarian Jewish family the Sonnenscheins through five generations spanning more than 100 years, from the mid-1800s to the mid-1900s, exploring the history, politics, world wars, social diaspora, and economic shifts that influence and change them during that .. Read more

Starring Ralph Fiennes, Jennifer Ehle, Rachel Weisz, William Hurt
Director István Szabó
Genres Drama

Sign up Sunshine DVD

loading loading...

Sunshine cover art

Sunshine

Director Istvan Szabo's SUNSHINE is an epic tale that follows the Hungarian Jewish family the Sonnenscheins through five generations spanning more than 100 years, from the mid-1800s to the mid-1900s, exploring the history, politics, world wars, social diaspora, and economic shifts that influence and change them during that period.
Beginning with Emmanuel Sonnenschein, who builds a business around the family product (a Taste of Sunshine tonic), the film follows the lineage from his son Ignaz (Ralph Fiennes), a political conservative loyal to the Hungarian Republic, to Ignaz's son Adam (also played by Fiennes), an olympic fencer who is victimized by the Nazi genocide, to Adam's son Ivan (Fiennes again), a member of the Hungarian communist regime who manages to divorce himself from it and be free. Through these transitions, it is Valerie (played by both Jennifer Ehle and her real-life mother, Rosemary Harris), the cousin and wife of Ignaz, who becomes mother to Adam and grandmother to Ivan, supplying moral support, a family backbone, and photographs: a signature snapshot technique is used in the film to round out each major chapter or event. A beautiful film with easy transitions, dramatic scenery and costumes, and admirable performances, SUNSHINE's themes of family, history, and Hungarian pride resonate far beyond the big screen.

Starring Ralph Fiennes, Jennifer Ehle, Rachel Weisz, William Hurt, Deborah Unger, Molly Parker, Rosemary Harris, John Neville, David De Keyser, Mark Strong, Miriam Margolyes, James Frain
Director István Szabó
Studio MOMENTUM PICTURES
Run time DVD: 2 hrs 53 mins
Certificate Certificate 15
Genres Drama
Language DVD: English
Released Production year: 1999

To Rent:
DVD: 19 Feb 2001

  • Critic's review of Sunshine

    View all critics' reviews (6)

    • 1 stars out of 4  

      A movie with an epic sweep, in which Fiennes plays three roles of successive heads of the family, men eager for success even if it means compromising religion and morality; unfortunately, the detailed narrative exposition tends to overwhelm any character

    • 30694

  • Most helpful member's review of Sunshine

    View all members' reviews (38)

    • Rated - 5.0 stars  

      • 22
      • 5

      Sunshine experience

      It was simply mesmerising. I have been to Eastern Europe since the 60s and asked natives why they didn't leave? They just didn't believe how dreadful ... read more »

      Report this review

    • 487328

  • Most recent members' reviews of Sunshine

    View all members' reviews (38)

    • Rated - 5.0 stars  

      • 0
      • 0

      Sunshine (1999)

      Ralph Fiennes was superb in this film which follows three generations of a Jewish family. Would highly recommend it.

      Report this review

    • 1047276
  • View all members' reviews (38)

  • News and features

    View all
    World Trade Center

    Maria Bello to replace Weisz in Mummy 3

    • 16 May 2007

    Former ER star Maria Bello is to replace British actress Rachel Weisz in the third Mummy instalment, it has emerged. Although Brendan Fraser is set to return for the sequel, Weisz recently announced she would not be reprising her role as beautiful and clever adventurer Evie. However, variety confirms that Bello, who has starred in a number of films since her departure from the medical drama in 1998, will play the character. Set for release next year, the third Mummy movie - as yet untitled - is Read more

  • People who rented this also rented

    Showing 1 to 4 of 20

    loading

Like it What's this?

Write a review

Rating breakdown

2,064 Member ratings
  • 100
189
  • 90
147
  • 80
344
  • 70
347
  • 60
449
  • 50
207
  • 40
163
  • 30
90
  • 20
83
  • 10
45

Related user collection

Buy from Amazon.co.uk

    • Sunshine

    • Sunshine
      Director Istvan Szabo's SUNSHINE is an epic tale that follows the Hungarian Jewish family the Sonnenscheins through five generations spanning more than 100 years, from the mid-1800s to the mid-1900s, exploring the history, politics, world wars, social diaspora, and economic shifts that influence ...

Want to watch something right now?

Start your FREE trial now

LOVEFiLM - An Amazon company

Follow LOVEFiLM on

Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | EULA | Affiliates | Jobs | Inside LOVEFiLM Blog | About Us | Contact Us

International sites UK DK DE SE NO

LOVEFiLM, the LOVEFiLM logo and all other LOVEFiLM product or service names are trade marks of LOVEFiLM International Ltd. or its affiliates.

© 2012 LOVEFiLM UK Ltd. or its affiliates. All Rights Reserved.