Robert Wiene’s Das Cabinet des Dr. Caligari is one of the most influential films in cinema history, a work that shocked audiences and forever altered the course of filmmaking. Set in a small German town during a carnival, the story follows Dr. Caligari, a mysterious hypnotist who unveils his eerie attraction: Cesare, a sleepwalker said to predict the future. By night, however, Caligari awakens Cesare to carry out his dark commands. With its jagged, dreamlike sets and chilling atmosphere, the film redefined how stories could be told on screen, leaving an indelible mark on the evolution of horror, film noir, and gothic cinema.

Presented here as a one-off screening featuring live musical accompaniment by musician Hugo Max, who will perform an original score written especially for the film.

Reviews

‘Undoubtedly one of the most exciting and inspired horror movies ever made.’
★★★★★
David Pirie, Time Out

‘The sheer audacity of the film’s physical and psychological conceit will haunt you forever.’
★★★★★
David Parkinson, Empire Magazine

Hugo Max is a British-Austrian musician, filmmaker and painter who performs live improvised scores to silent films on solo viola. He regularly soundtracks screenings at London’s Prince Charles Cinema and Picturehouse Cinemas across the UK. In 2024 he presented his first nationwide tour accompanying a selection of classic silent horrors and thrillers and performed his second tour in spring 2025 focussing on the films of F. W. Murnau.

Join Hugo Max as he accompanies the greatest horror films of the silent era with live soundtracks on solo viola this Halloween. There’s no better time of the year to experience these chilling works on the big screen, reimagined for contemporary audiences with Max’s visceral performances.

Tour Website: https://hugomax.co.uk/scoring-silent-cinema
Instagram: @hugo-max-scores-silents