Faust (F.W. Murnau, Restored Deluxe Edition) [Blu-ray]

I just watched the F. W. Murnau silent film version of Faust from 1926 and it was surprisingly good. It's from the director of Nosferatu and heavily based on the Goethe version of the Faust legend, not the Christopher Marlowe verison.Marlowe's Faust ends in a bleak and very hopeless kind of way whereas Goethe has Faust redeemed at the end with the idea that caring about others and love is the most powerful and most transcendent force in the universe and that, as it is the ultimate goodness, you cannot be damned if you can love.This silent film is heavily based on the more hopeful version of the story by Goethe, containing elements of both part 1 and part 2 of Goethe's Faust. I strongly recommend this for anyone who is a fan of Goethe's version of Faust. I sort of wish it would get a remake, still set in the fifeenth / sixteenth century and with the same ending (even if people do find the idea of love redeeming you to be saccharine). I think we need stories like this. And it is a shame the Goethe version of Faust isn't more well known in the English speaking world.This two disc DVD contains my now favorite silent film. This is the only film version of Faust to cover both Part 1 and 2 of Goethe's Faust. It strays a bit but the bulk of the story, particularly most of the Faust / Gretchen storyline is in tact. Most people only adapt the Christopher Marlowe version of the Faust legend if they are even familiar with it at all, which is sad because Goethe's version is the only one where Faust gets redeemed at the end. Faust is the German legend loosely based on a real life alchemist and self-proclaimed sorcerer. From this legend we get the demon name Mephistopheles AKA Mephisto, who in the legend, was not Satan himself but actually a high ranking demon.This adaptation is from the director of Nosferatu. Apparently he loved to refilm many scenes several times in several different ways so at one point there were thirty different versions of this film floating around, some with differing dialogue, some with scenes shot slightly different, some with scenes missing, some with scenes added. Film historians have found five. This DVD contains two of them. An American release, and the original German version restored as much as possible to it's original content. The German version is on disc 1 with an option for English subtitles. The American cut is on disc 2. One scene that was changed in some versions is there's a scene with a bear. Some versions it's a man in a bear costume. Some with a live bear and in one cut the bear obviously actually hurt one of the actors but they leave it in.I have seen people complain that Mephisto is too comical and not dark enough but clearly these people are not that familiar with Goethe's version of Faust. Mephisto was flamboyant, comical, but yes, evil. And that's what you get here. I have also seen the complaint that they "Tacked on" Faust going to Heaven and even the love story because "That's not in Marlowe's version." This is NOT Marlowe's Faust. Most of this version is based on the Goethe version of the story.One thing that they changed for this film is one thing that they probably should have left alone. in Goethe's Faust the deal was for the ultimate experience, the moment Faust would wish to never end. In this film that's not the bargain. But considering how easily bored and distracted Faust gets at times I think it would have made certain parts better if that had been the deal.In general though this is the only film version to truly tackle both parts of Goethe's Faust and they did it very well.

Familiarity with neither Marlowe's "Tragedy of Doctor Faustus" nor Goethe's "Faust" will prepare you for this Murnau masterpiece. It is a film that truly surprises, clearly echoing its protagonist's own journey from greatness to aimless indecision, unintended disaster, and finally a strong resolution. This insanely brilliant yet highly uneven work is a clear and beautiful transition from the fantastic expressionistic horror of Murnau's "Nosferatu" to the dark and stunningly beautiful tragic romance of "Sunrise." It is almost schizophrenic in its scope, but it pays off masterfully in the end."Faust" begins as a stylized satanic horror film, rife with the most absolutely jaw-dropping special effects that would not be outdone for decades to come. At the heart of this first act is (unsurprisingly) Faust, a spiritual, saintly man who is forced to play Job to a quarreling Angel and Devil. Unfortunately, Faust has his breaking point and descends, brilliantly, into the world of the damned. For the first hour of the film, we are subjected to cinematic wonder after cinematic wonder as Murnau and crew constantly manage to top each and every visual that they throw at you. Even when Faust signs away his soul and seems to lose all of his dramatic potential, the visuals keep you glued to your seat.About an hour into the film, though, the film takes an abrupt turn. Just as Faust becomes bored and indecisive with his newfound powers, Murnau seems to become bored and indecisive with the direction of his powerful film. It descends into a black comedy which, although humorous at points, feels highly tedious and out of place. Fortunately, as this chapter wraps up after approximately 30 minutes, it's purpose becomes clear.The film then transitions into a gritty tragedy about Gretchen, Faust's love interest introduced in the previous act. Like the previous one, this dark and depressing act seems to come out of nowhere, not even featuring Faust and seemingly having little to do with the story begun in the first act.However, just as Gretchen's fortunes take an even greater turn for the worse, the film makes a stunning transition, leaping to life with brilliant action, drama, effects, camera work, and acting. For the rest of my life, I doubt that I will ever forget Gretchen's primal cry for Faust, visually transcending distance and the boundaries of Hell itself. The film ends soon after, but not before delivering gorgeous, dramatically saturated moment after moment. The end leaves you with a feeling of elated sorrow -- something I never would have expected from what began as an expressionist horror film.In the end, Faust is a wonderfully cruel love tragedy, soaring with emotion even higher than it ever soared with the best cinematic imagery of its day. "Faust" is a must see for anyone that shares an equal love for satanic horror and divine tragedy. You'll get both in equal measure, here.Regarding the transfer itself, Kino does an adequate job, but there's certainly room for improvement. The transfer has its share of jumps, scratches, imperfections, and minor over-all graininess, all while suffering from seemingly poor contrast. It's absolutely watchable, but I'd love to see the Murnau Foundation take this film to the next level, making it shine in the way that it deserves to. I do have to say that the score on Kino's release is incredible, though, absolutely complimenting and nurturing every aspect of Murnau's masterpiece with a Wagner-inspired energy. I'd hate to watch this film without it.**Note: This review pertains to the 2001 Kino release. Kino has since released a newly remastered edition with a different score.

What an eye Murnau had recreating his visions on film. No CG, no matte tricks, but imaginative as hell. All done in-camera. Younger people should see these to get an idea on where their favorite films take their root in creativity.

A piece of historyStill relevant

Good movie.

Muy buena película.

No era para mi pero mi amigo le gusto mucho

Questo film è una straordinaria visione gotica del creatore di Nosferatu. Sono immagini che si mescolano ad una sensazione di incubo. Da non perdere anche per la doppia versione DVD e Blue Ray.