Live Musical Accompaniment

The Big Parade (Silent with Live Music Score)

One of the most moving and impactful depictions of war, director King Vidor’s remarkable silent classic is presented in 35mm with live musical accompaniment by Cliff Retallick.

Wealthy James Apperson (John Gilbert) deploys as a soldier in World War I France and grows from a naïve kid into a battle-hardened veteran as he and his two buddies are paraded toward the front. The film fiercely captures the heroism of the ordinary foot soldier struggling to survive, and how James’ determination to return to the village girl (Renée Adorée) he loves faces the ultimate test. Other great war epics would follow, but The Big Parade, a bracingly human and brutally vivid box-office hit, set the bar first and set it high. (Warner Bros)