Faust is a classic silent film produced in 1926, directed by F.W. Murnau with Gösta Ekman as Faust, Emil Jannings as Mephisto and Camilla Horn as Gretchen. Murnau's film draws on older traditions of the legendary tale of Faust as well as on Goethe's classic version. This carefully composed and innovative feature contains many memorable images and special effects, with careful attention paid to contrasts of light and dark. Particularly striking is the sequence in which the giant, horned and black winged figure of Mephisto (Jannings) hovers over a town sowing the seeds of plague. The acting by Ekman (who miraculously transforms, in the course of the film, from a bearded old man to a handsome youth) and the sinister, scowling, demonic Jannings is first rate and the virtually unknown actress Camilla Horn gives a memorable performance as the tragic figure of Gretchen. [1]
Also known as:
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Faust - Eine deutsche Volkssage
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Faust: A German Folk Legend (Canada: English title)
Notes
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In 2004, British musician and composer Geoff Smith composed a new soundtrack to the film for the hammered dulcimer, which he performed live as an accompaniment to the film.
See also
External links
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Faust at the Arts & Faith Top100 Spiritually Significant Films list
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Faust at the Internet Movie Database
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Download Faust on the Internet Archive
