Faust: 100th Anniversary Screening with the Invincible Czars

In 2026, The Invincible Czars celebrate 100 years of FW Murnau‘s silent masterpiece FAUST by performing their tastefully modern soundtrack live with the movie at theatres across the US and Canada – including a stop at the Rio Theatre on Saturday, September 12.

There is simply no better way to experience these icons of of the silent era than on the big screen, accompanied with a live score!

Their brand new electrifying score marries new and old elements of classical music, bossa nova and even a touch of heavy metal to bring the movie to life for contemporary audiences and incorporates a mix of instruments like flute, violin and electric guitar.

The Czars’ return engagement at the Rio Theatre will function as an FW Murnau “silent sinema” double feature, as guests will be able to take in both FAUST and their revamped version of the 1922 silent classic NOSFERATU – for one sweet price!

Saturday, September 12
Doors 6:15 pm | Show 7:00 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

Adult Entry $35+ s/c (Early Bird Pricing $30+ s/c Until August 1!)
Youth (Under 15) $22+ s/c
VIP (Gold Circle – Rows A-D, Centre Section) $40+ s/c

Following the film(s) The Invincible Czars will participate in a brief talkback with the audience, meet and greet, and will also be selling their amazing merch!

All Double Feature Tickets HERE

About FAUST

An elderly alchemist named Faust (Gösta Ekman) makes a pact with the demon Mephisto (Emil Jannings) to gain the power to protect his village from plague. Faust soon succumbs to temptation and asks Mephisto to restore his youth and help him acquire all the hedonistic pleasures that earth can offer. Eventually, his love affair with a young woman named Gretchen (Camilla Horn) leads to tragic and devastating consequences for them both.

FAUST has quite a history. It is the quintessential “deal with the devil” tale based on a centuries-old European legend. The legend inspired Johann Wofgang Goethe’s 1808 play which is considered Germany’s greatest literary work.  The play inspired the famous opera by Charles Guonod which director FW Murnau used as a map for his 1926 film.  Virtually every “sell your soul” type story from the film Crossroads to songs like “The Devil Went Down To Georgia” owes a debt to FAUST whether the creators know it or not. (In fact, “Faust” is the opera in Gaston Leroux’s “Phantom of the Opera.”)

Murnau had already made a name for himself and set the standard for early horror films with NOSFERATU (1922) and in 1926 he was on top of his game and found himself with a big budget for FAUST with a lot of autonomy from the studio UFI. The result is silent-era German Expressionist eye candy full of amazing sets, innovative special effects and Murnau’s signature camera work.  It was his last German-made film before he moved to Hollywood later that year.

For modern audiences, it’s the cast that really makes the movie entertaining.  The virtually-unknown Camilla Horn is hard not to love in the role of Gretchen.  (Horn had replaced the legendary Lillian Gish in the role when Gish ultimately turned it down due to the subject matter in the film.)  The charismatic (if complicated) Emil Jannings was like the Jim Carrey of his day bringing all emotions with equal gusto and power. He is hilarious, hateable, terrifying and unforgettable especially when paired with Yvette Guilbert as Aunt Marthe.

About the Soundtrack

The Invincible Czars’ score for FAUST is mostly original material inspired by film score composers like Bernard Herrman and John Williams peppered with cinematic metal a la Fantomas and even a little Marcos Valle-esque bossa nova.  The band keeps their tradition of incorporating music from Russian classical composers, revisiting their renditions of Mussorgsy’s Pictures at an Exhibition and A Night on Bald Mountain in particular for this soundtrack.  Five players perform the score live on violin, electric guitar, clarinet, bass clarinet, flute, glockenspiel, keyboard and drums.

About the Band

The Invincible Czars have made a name for themselves among horror and classic film lovers in the US and Canada with their original, tastefully modern live soundtracks for silent films which they started creating for the original Alamo Drafthouse in their hometown of Austin, TX in 2007, though they began making their wacky brand of cinematic rock in 2003.  They are great at using music and sound to transform century-old movies into immersive and engaging experiences that allow audiences to approach, appreciate, and enjoy the depth and innovation of classic silent film. Czars shows are a lot of fun with opportunities for audience participation and costumery.

Do you like Primus, Tchaikovsky, Frank Zappa, Steve Martin, Louis Armstrong, Danny Elfman, Ween, Monty Python and Mr. Bungle? 

They do, too, and their revolving door of players keeps them sounding and looking different from project to project.

The Alamo Drafthouse called them, “one of the best silent film orchestras in the nation.”

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*Minors OK. (Mild content warning) Must be 19+ w/ID for bar service.
*Sorry, Rio Theatre Groupons and passes n/a for this event.
*We recommend purchasing your tickets in advance at www.riotheatretickets.ca. If a screening or live event is not sold out, the remaining tickets will be available for in-person purchase at the Rio Theatre’s box office prior to showtime (subject to availability).
*Our box office is typically open 30 minutes before showtime. Please arrive 20-30 minutes prior to showtime to ensure great seats, and time for treats at concession.