The Strand Theatre and Oxford Film Festival present a live musical performance accompanying the 1916 silent film The Crisis on Friday, November 17, at 7 pm at the Strand Theater in Vicksburg, Mississippi. Based on a Civil War drama written by American novelist Winston Churchill, The Crisis was the first feature-length film to be shot in Mississippi.
Multi-talented Mississippi musician, filmmaker, and composer, Damein Wash, has composed an original score to accompany the picture, bringing vintage into the contemporary and making use of musicians from around the state, including Doug Thomas (flute, clarinet, and saxophone), Daniel Roebuck (trumpet), Dr. Michael Worthy (trombone), Amanda Johnston (piano), and Ricky Burkhead (percussion).
Wash and his ensemble first performed the score at the 2023 Oxford Film Festival in March, and again in June at the Museum of Mississippi History in Jackson. Now this special performance will honor the film’s Vicksburg roots with a show at the historic Strand Theatre on Clay Street.
“The film tells the tale of Stephen Brice, a young lawyer in Civil War-era St. Louis, who falls in love with Virginia Carvel, the daughter of his benefactor. But she is loyal to the South and Brice is committed to Lincoln’s cause. During the war, their convictions separate them, and Virginia becomes engaged to her cousin Clarence Colfax, a Confederate officer. Brice becomes an officer under General Sherman, and eventually finds himself faced with the captured Colfax, facing execution for spying. Brice must decide whether to intercede on his rival’s behalf.” (IMDb)
The film’s battle scenes were shot on location in Vicksburg during May and June of 1916 at South Fort, the courthouse, and on the levee. The presence of the film crew caused a stir of excitement among locals, and Selig employed five hundred Mississippi National Guardsmen as extras. Produced by the Selig-Polyscope Company of Chicago, Illinios, The Crisis was a huge success when it was first released.
The film runs just over an hour and is presented by the Oxford Film Festival. This screening is free of charge, and you can reserve seating by emailing highway61coffee@aol.com.
