Faust (1926)
Posted on July 19, 2005
Filed Under Black and white, Classics
Though Nosferatu is probably the most well-known of German director Friedrich Murnau’s films many would argue (me included) that Faust was his true masterpiece. There have been many attempts since to bring Goethe’s tale of tragedy and hubris to the screen but none have the quality or impact of this 1926 offering. More than any of his other films, Faust demonstrates Murnau’s maturity in every aspect of the film-making process.
The visual effects are stunning and perfectly tuned to the atmospherics of the story. Few people would fail to be impressed with Mephisto’s first appearance over Faust’s hometown, or with the physical transformation of Faust from a weak and feeble old man to his youthful former self. The camera work and sets are just as important in this and everything comes together in what has to be one of the most beautifully crafted films ever made. Few directors have succeeded in conjuring up the supernatural as masterfully as Murnau. Theodore Huff put it far better than me when he observed, ‘Carl Hoffmann’s camera…has the power of impregnating everything, down to the cloth of a garment, with diabolism…’
Emil Jannings is often criticised as being nothing but a vain, pompous ham but he used these qualities with precision and intent in the role of Mephisto and can thus be forgiven. At first he is full of mirth and jolliness in seducing Faust into signing his fateful compact; the instant this is done though he is instantly able to come across as the scariest and most unsettling person you’ll ever see, and from there on in puts in an accomplished performance. The rest of the cast are fantastic too, with Gosta Ekmann and Camilla Horn generating real sympathy for their respective plights. Ekmann adroitly manages to capture the essentials of youth and old age and is intensely likable despite the obvious weakness of his character.
Faust is undoubtedly one of the finest silent films ever made, with every shot carefully rendered to bombard the viewer with the dynamism of the tragedy unfolding on screen; from the flawless score right through to the superb actors, it is a real experience (and joy) to watch.
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