Welcome, dear readers, to another exciting edition of the Sunday Morning Movie! In this Halloween special, we’re diving into the enchanting world of Faust, a captivating black-and-white silent film that remains a true masterpiece.
Also, a quick announcement: inspired by a fantastic suggestion from our reader Jeff N, I will now share next Sunday’s film link, giving everyone ample time to watch it during the week. I hope this encourages enriching discussions! Without further ado, here’s next week’s selection:
Now, let’s delve into today’s film!
Reviews:
The Oxford Student shares:
It’s clear that Faust shows its age. For instance, in the scene where Mephisto (Satan) rejuvenates Faust, the transition between the older actor and the younger one starkly contrasts the seamless CGI of contemporary cinema. This, however, adds to the film’s charm. The practical effects may lack polish, yet they possess an unfiltered creativity that many modern films fail to capture.
<p>Like a stage production that must adapt to the distance from the audience, a silent film captivates without dialogue. Both formats employ bold visuals to maintain engagement, inviting viewers to suspend disbelief. Consequently, <em>Faust</em> exhibits a theatrical essence; its actors, many from a theatrical background, utilize exaggerated expressions and movements, complemented by the striking makeup and costumes typical of theater.</p>
Roger Ebert reflects:
F.W. Murnau possessed an audacious visual imagination, a standout trait even amidst the German Expressionist movement with its distorted perspectives and twisted architecture. He worked like an artist with light and shadow, sometimes lamenting to his devoted cameraman, Carl Hoffmann, that everything should be obscured, save for the focus of the scene.
<p><em>Faust</em> is particularly remarkable in how it showcases vast supernatural realms of heaven and hell. Consider the striking initial shot of Mephisto, whose dark wings obscure the sky as he looms over a small village nestled below. Murnau treated his screen as a canvas that offered a wider space than others conceived; long before the emergence of deep focus, he crafted double exposures that mimic the presence of crowds in both the foreground and distant backgrounds.</p> <p>His frame imbued remarkable breadth and depth, such that when Mephisto transports Faust through the sky, we genuinely see the world expanding beneath them—towns, farms, mountains, and rivers. Of course, Murnau relied on models, with art director Robert Herlth recalling how they used materials like reeds and rushes to create realistic landscapes. Murnau even lent his towering height to assist in crafting the miniature details.</p> <p>As with all silent filmmakers, Murnau embraced effects that were notably artificial. While the town under the dark angel’s wings is evidently a model, the sharply angled buildings in the backdrop lack any effort to appear realistic. Ironically, these effects can often resonate more powerfully than realistic CGI; it seems that today's elaborate visuals can overshadow artistry and imagination. The eerie world of <em>Faust</em> intentionally constructs a landscape of nightmares, and the clunky transformation of the elderly Faust into a youth becomes not only unsettling but memorable in its imperfection.</p>
Criterion comments:
The German version of Faust sharpens the familiar narrative, injecting urgency into what might otherwise feel stale. Murnau established a knack for evoking dread in the fantastic through his earlier work, Nosferatu. In The Last Laugh, he expertly contrasted a man’s innermost desires with his external reality. Faust beautifully harmonizes both themes. Swedish actor Gösta Ekman portrays the character with finesse, first embodying the elderly scientist distressed by his inability to assist those suffering from the plague, and later as the rejuvenated young man, reveling in the pleasures offered by Mephisto (played by a suitably larger-than-life Emil Jannings). He understands the frustrations of the elder Faust and conveys the soul’s longing when faced with lost potential.
My perspective:
If you’re going to see only one silent film, let it be Faust. The interplay of shadow and light characteristic of German Expressionism evokes an eerie surrealism that modern storytelling struggles to replicate. While its special effects may seem crude by modern standards, they possess an effectiveness that resonates deeply. This film is undoubtedly a cinematic gem.
Director: F.W. Murnau
Written by: Hans Kyser
Notable Actors: Gösta Ekman
Synopsis (Spoilers Ahead!):
Mephistopheles makes a wager with an Archangel: If he can corrupt a devout soul, he will earn dominion over Earth. Believing this to be an easy task, Mephisto takes the bet.
Casting a plague over Faust’s (Ekman) hometown, the alchemist finds himself in despair as death surrounds him and his prayers remain unanswered.
Distraught, he burns his books, including the Bible. One of the texts opens to reveal a ritual to summon the Devil; in exchange for his soul, Faust could wield the Devil’s powers. Although hesitant, he ultimately decides to act for the sake of his people. He gains newfound abilities for a day but is rejected by the townsfolk due to his inability to endure the sight of a cross.
Mephisto proposes another offer: in exchange for his soul, Faust can regain his youth and embrace a life of indulgence, fulfilling every desire. Accepting, Faust enjoys a life of pleasure and wealth but soon grows disillusioned with its hollowness. Upon longing to return home, he falls in love with a maiden named Gretchen.
After a string of incidents instigated by Mephisto, Gretchen finds herself facing execution. Now elderly, Faust throws himself into the flames, but instead of being consumed, they ascend to Heaven. An Archangel appears, declaring Mephisto has lost the bet, as Faust still harbors the most potent force of all: Love.
***
Bonuses:
To kick things off, here’s a short film about the life of F.W. Murnau:
Next, here’s an insightful article from Jacobin magazine (thanks to KLG) discussing the evolution of modern horror cinema:
https://jacobin.com/2025/10/1960-modern-horror-film
Finally, enjoy this documentary about a haunted antique shop, created by the acclaimed documentarian Christopher McGuinness, who transitioned from skeptic to believer during the filming:
The Undeparted
Enjoy the viewing!
