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The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari with Live Soundtrack by The Invincible Czars

The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari with Live Score by The Invincible Czars

Germany | 1920 | 76 min. | Robert Wiene

September 10, 2023

Robert Weine's 1920 German expressionist masterpiece returns to our screen with a live score by Austin, Texas band The Invincible Czars.

Shown as part of a double-feature presentation with Nosferatu on Sept. 10. Attend both screenings for a double-feature discount.

Individual Screening: $20 | $15 Members - Select showtime below to purchase
Double Feature: $35 | $25 Members - Select "Buy Double Feature Tickets" below and add "Add-On" before checkout

SIFF Members: Log in before adding tickets to your cart to receive the double feature discount.

Buy Double Feature Tickets

SIFF year-round passes and vouchers are not valid for this performance.

Dr. Caligari is one of the silent era's most beloved and enigmatic works. It considered by many to be the first German Expressionist film and the first great motion picture in the horror genre. It is the first movie to incorporate surrealistic production in such and all-encompassing way with quirky sets, angular shadows and creepy make-up.

It tells the story of a mysterious traveler who arrives in a small village to showcase his Somnabulist (sleepwalker) in the local fair. Shortly thereafter, a series of murders lead the narrator, Franzis, and his friends to believe Dr. Caligari and his sleepwalking assistant may be responsible but something's not quite right and the conclusion is quite surprising for 100+ year old movie.

ABOUT THE SOUNDTRACK
Fans, theaters and media have praised The Invincible Czars' soundtrack for making the near century-old movie “actually scary” for modern day audiences since they debuted it in 2015. the band has performed well over 100 times across the US and Canada. In 2021, they updated the soundtrack to include drums and little more rock edge while retain their signature delicate creepiness.

Using a mix of acoustic and electric instruments helped. Violin, glockenspiel, organ, flute, bass clarinet, voices and vocals, music box, loops, electric guitar, bass, piano and percussion all play prominent roles in the score and are a sight to behold when performed live by only four or five players.

The Invincible Czars encourage fans and attendees to dress for the Halloween season at the show!

  • Director: Robert Wiene
  • Principal Cast: Werner Krauss, Conrad Veidt, Friedrich Feher, Lil Dagover
  • Country: Germany
  • Year: 1920
  • Running Time: 76 min.
  • Screenplay: Carl Mayer, Hans Janowitz
  • Cinematographers: Willy Hameister
  • Music: The Invincible Czars

The Invincible Czars

About the Band

The Invincible Czars began making adventurous rock music in Austin clubs 2003 but they quickly branched into the arts world with their wide scope of styles, cinematic flare and and mix of modern and classical instruments.

Though they continue to take on a variety of projects and occasionally still play in clubs, they are best known for their silent film soundtracks which they perform live at cinemas, colleges and performing arts spaces all over the US and Canada.

They began accompanying silent films at the original Alamo Drafthouse in Austin in 2006. Their goal is to create music that gives modern-day audiences a context in which to appreciate these near century-old films. They also create custom artwork, incorporate audience participation into the shows. The Alamo Drafthouse called them one of the best silent film orchestras in the nation and many art house cinemas and film festivals have echoed that.

The band operates as a collective with a few core members (Josh Robins - guitar, Phil Davidson - violin, Skunk Manhattan - keys, guitar) and rotating cast of additional members on any given project or tour. The group sounds different from season to season and year to year.