Nosferatu (1922) with Invincible Czars

Alamo Drafthouse is proud to present the return of an annual Halloween tradition – Invincible Czars’ live score for NOSFERATU. Since 2006, the Austin-based band has been performing well-crafted and critically-acclaimed original silent film scores for THE CABINET OF DR. CALIGARI, Lon Chaney’s THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, John Barrymore’s DR. JEKYLL & MR. HYDE, Lillian Gish’s THE WIND, and so many others.

The Invincible Czars have updated their soundtrack for NOSFERATU in preparation to release a recording for the film’s centennial in 2022. This will be the debut of the updated score incorporating violin, organ, flute, bass clarinet, drums, percussion, vocals, music box, synthesizers, electric guitar, piano, and many sound effects performed live and in-theater by only five performers. Drawing from the realm of classical music, Invincible Czars’ score incorporates original music inspired by Bela Bartok’s Roumanian Folk Dances as a nod to the fictional Count Orlok’s home turf.

Directed by F.W. Murnau and starring the terrifying Max Schreck, NOSFERATU is one of the most revered films in the history of cinema, and the very first – and possibly best – adaptation of Bram Stoker’s Dracula. The film would nearly be erased from the history books after the estate of Bram Stoker sued the filmmakers for copyright infringement, and nearly all the prints of the movie were destroyed. Only a few survived, and this performance features the most complete existing version.