The Rio Theatre is delighted to welcome Austin. Texas ensemble The Invincible Czars back to our stage for a double bill night featuring two classics from the silent era  – NOSFERATU and THE CABINET OF DR CALIGARI – accompanied with a live, original score.

NOSFERATU is one of the most revered films in the history of cinema, and there is no better way to experience this iconic landmark than with Austin’s “emperors of eclecticism,” The Invincible Czars, who are bringing their updated soundtrack to the Rio Theatre with a live performance to accompany a screening of the film.

THE CABINET OF DR. CALIGARI tells the story of a group of friends who encounter the mysterious Dr. Caligari and his scary, sleepwalking sidekick Cesare at a carnival.  When a series of murders brings the town to its knees, Franzis sets out to prove Caligari is responsible… But is he?

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!

Saturday, September 16
NOSFERATU
Doors 6:15 pm | Film 7:00 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

THE CABINET OF DR. CALIGARI
Movie 9:15 pm *As this is screening as part of a double feature, the start time is subject to change.

NOSFERATU & DR. CALIGARI Double Feature Pricing – See them BOTH for one incredible price!
Double Feature Kids (Under 12) $22 HERE
Double Feature Early Bird Tickets $28 HERE (Until September 6)
Double Feature Seniors & Students (Must provide ID) $30 + s/c HERE | $35 at the door
Double Feature General Admission Tickets $35 + s/c HERE | $40 at the door
Double Feature VIP Tickets (Priority Seating in the first 5 rows, centre section) $40 + s.c. HERE | $45 at the door

THE CABINET OF DR. CALIGARI Single Film Tickets
Single Feature Kids (Under 12) $20 HERE
Single Feature Early Bird Tickets $22 + s/c HERE (Until September 6)
Single Feature Seniors & Students (Must provide ID) $25 + s/c HERE | $30 at the door
Single Feature General Admission Tickets $30 + s/c HERE | $35 at the door

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!

Unleashed upon the world in 1922, German filmmaker F.W. Murnau‘s NOSFERATU is most certainly the most important horror film of the silent era, and one of the first vampire movies. The fact that it exists at all is something of a miracle, as it was almost completely lost when Bram Stoker‘s widow sued the filmmakers for copyright infringement, and most of the prints of the movie were subsequently destroyed.

NOSFERATU tells the story of Hutter and Ellen, a couple from the village of Wisborg.  Hutter travels to Transylvania to sell a piece of property in Wisborg to Count Orlok.  Hutter stays in Orlok’s castle only to learn that the Count is a vampire. Orlok purchases a house next to Hutter’s, locks Hutter in the castle and travels to Wisborg. On the way, he manages to possess Hutter’s employer and Ellen and strike the village with an outbreak of the plague. Hutter rushes home to stop him before it’s too late.

Since The Invincible Czars debuted their new score in 2015, fans, theaters and media have praised the soundtrack for making the near century-old movie “actually scary” for modern day audiences. In 2021, they updated the soundtrack to include drums and a little bit more of a “rock edge,” while still retaining its signature, delicate creepiness.

A lush mix of acoustic and electric instruments (including 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’s sonic landscape, ensuring a rich and dynamic experience that can only be had in a theatre.

The Invincible Czars encourage fans and attendees to dress for the Halloween season at these shows – even when it’s not close to Halloween.

Who are The Invincible Czars?

Hailing from Austin, Texas, The Invincible Czars make cinematic, experimental “rock” for music nerds, horror fans, film lovers, followers of science fiction and fact, comics, cartoons & humor and anyone with a complicated relationship with heavy metal and classical music.

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.”