Friday evening features a screening of the influential masterpiece of Italian silent cinema from 1913 directed by Mario Caserini, with live musical accompaniment by Michael Mortilla. On Saturday, the lavish 1959 version, directed by Mario Bonnard and Sergio Leone, stars the famed bodybuilder Steve Reeves.
While viewing these classic films, visitors will be able to snack on popcorn or enjoy a glass of wine from the Café at the Getty Villa. A Vesuvian-inspired menu will be offered at the Café, including focaccia pizza, warm chocolate lava cake, and Getty Bellinis (a specialty drink made with prosecco and pear), as well as wine, beer, and sodas.
The film series complements the recently opened exhibition The Last Days of Pompeii: Decadence, Apocalypse, Resurrection, on view September 12, 2012, to January 7, 2013. The museum galleries and exhibition will be open before each screening.
Tickets are $7.