Finally restored by the team – led by the tireless Kevin Brownlow- at the BFI National Archive after decades of work, Abel Gance’s 1927 epic silent Napoleon will screen for the public on Sun 6 Nov 2016 at 14:00 at the Royal Festival Hall. The film played to sell out crowds back in 2013, but this is the new digital version of the BFI-Photoplay restoration for the screen, complete with a triptych finale and a new Carl Davis live score.
This is a significant moment for film buffs everywhere, as the film has rarely screened in public, in part due to the sheer length of it (there will be three intervals, including a 100-minute at approx. 17:30, and the event is due to end at approx 22:00) but also because this digital restoration has taken so long.
The BFI Champions and Members priority booking starts from 10-12 February 2016. Tickets are limited and are priced from £15-£65. To book, call the Philharmonia Box Office (09:30-17:30) on 0800 652 6717. The rest of the public have a crack at tickets from 16 February. IF you miss out, fear not, as the film will go on theatrical release in UK cinemas and will be available on BFI DVD/Blu-ray and BFI Player.
You can read more about Kevin Brownlow’s 50-year journey to this point here.
Find out more information about the event.