Murnau’s lyrical 1927 masterpiece love story SUNRISE: A SONG OF TWO HUMANS, has taken top spots on all-time best lists for many years and will be shown with the original synchronized music track, as will TABU. Several other offerings, including FAUST, will be shown with live piano accompaniment by David Drazin, whose musical interpretation adds enormously to enhance the visuals. Murnau’s version of the Faustian legend with Emil Jannings as the seductive Mephisto, holds up as well as anything ever for seamlessly incorporating the outstanding visual effects with the epic poetry of Goethe’s story.

Affording a rare opportunity to view some of Murnau’s lesser seen films, the series includes THE HAUNTED CASTLE, JOURNEY INTO THE NIGHT, PHANTOM, and CITY GIRL. All the films will be presented in newly restored prints or archival 35 mm prints.

Murnau’s influence cannot be overestimated on both American and European cinema that followed his untimely death from wounds suffered in a car accident in 1931 at age 42. A master of cinematic shadows and light, he was no less an artist at pure storytelling. He crossed genres as diverse as the Dracula horror legend, the touching and fanciful LAST LAUGH, where Murnau gives aging doorman Jannings a second chance for a happy ending, or the comedy THE GRAND DUKES FINANCES. These films are as involving emotionally and magnificent visually, most of them more so, as anything you will ever see.

The Gene Siskel Film Center at the School of Art Institute of Chicago’s mission of presenting the best of world cinema in a very fine facility, totally accessible to both students and the public, is one of Chicago’s true treasures. Where else can you go and see the best prints of the best films ever made, as well as Chicago premiers of new works, often in conjunction with lecture and discussion programs, and sip a glass of nice wine or cappuccino while you enjoy, and are challenged by, great films?