Faust (1926)

94% of critics liked it
(18 reviews)
90% of users liked it
(5,053 ratings)

Faust was the mammoth German production which won F. W. Murnau his contract with Hollywood's Fox Studios. Emil Jannings glowers his way through the role of Mephistopholes, who offers the aging Faust (Gosta Eckman) an opportunity to relive his youth, the price being Faust's soul. Though highly… More Faust was the mammoth German production which won F. W. Murnau his contract with Hollywood's Fox Studios. Emil Jannings glowers his way through the role of Mephistopholes, who offers the aging Faust (Gosta Eckman) an opportunity to relive his youth, the price being Faust's soul. Though highly stylized, the film is unsettlingly realistic at times, especially during the execution of the unfortunate Gretchen. Even in old age, actress Camilla Horn could recall how close she came to genuine immolation when Murnau burned her at the stake. An American version of Faust had been planned earlier as a Mary Pickford vehicle, but Pickford's mother wanted no part of a film in which her darling daughter strangled her own baby. The scenario for Faust touches lightly upon the previous retellings by Goethe and Marlowe, but is more heavily reliant on the paintings of Pietr Breughel. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 57 min.
Directed By: F.W. Murnau
Written By: Hans Kyser
Genres: Horror, Art House & International, Science Fiction & Fantasy

In Theaters: Dec 5, 1926 Wide
On DVD: Jun 5, 2001
Studio: MGM

Critic Reviews

Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader
This extraordinary piece of artistry and craftsmanship integrates its dazzling special effects so seamlessly that they're indistinguishable from the film's narrative, poetry, and, above all, metaphysics.
Don Druker, Chicago Reader
As atmospheric and menacing a work as the expressionist movement ever produced.
, New York Times
Here is a picture which is as far removed from the ordinary movie as a Tintoretto painting.
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
I sometimes feel, in this age of expert CGI, that I am being shown too much -- that technique is pushing aside artistry and imagination. The world of Faust is never intended to define a physical universe, but is a landscape of nightmares.
John Monaghan, Detroit Free Press
Still a classic example of eye-popping excess at a time when German filmmakers were among the most innovative in the world.
Sean Axmaker, Turner Classic Movies Online
Faust is a tragedy drawn in magnificent images like paintings in light and shadow and is one of the most breathtakingly beautiful of Murnau's German films.
Sean Axmaker, Parallax View
... one of the most visually magnificent films of the silent era.
Fernando F. Croce, Slant Magazine
A masterpiece gets the deluxe DVD treatment it deserves.
Tim Brayton, Antagony & Ecstasy
A great work by a great director, and one of the most instantly accessible silent films ever made.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Revisits the German legend of Dr. Faustus with an amazing use of expressionistic visuals.
Alan Morrison, Empire Magazine
Visually striking early telling of the German folktale.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
Faust an extremely stylish horror fantasy in the best tradition of German silent cinema, featuring brilliant photography, magnificent art direction, and magical special effects which still have the power to amaze.
Fernando F. Croce, Slant Magazine
Films from the German Expressionism era are famous for their fiercely stylized mise-en-scene, and to Murnau the medium's very artificiality provided the keys to locating its truths.
Geoff Andrew, Time Out
Murnau's version of the story of the man who sold his soul to the Devil (Jannings) in return for youth is visually extraordinary but dismally uneven in terms of its dramatic effect.
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid
The overall film is truly masterful.
Michael W. Phillips, Jr., Goatdog's Movies
A masterpiece of expressionistic filmmaking, a silent classic that is unfortunately deeply flawed by a maudlin second act.
Jeffrey M. Anderson, San Francisco Examiner
The overall film is truly masterful.

Read all 17 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

_kelly .

For people who can still appreciate something made in the prior century (and those numbers are dwindling), Murnau's vision of "Faust" begins with what was at the time a revolutionary visual, and still today is a provacative and effective image. There are any many… More
For people who can still appreciate something made in the prior century (and those numbers are dwindling), Murnau's vision of "Faust" begins with what was at the time a revolutionary visual, and still today is a provacative and effective image. There are any many variations on Faust, and I like the plot details of this one the best. The Faust and Mephistopheles are well acted; I particularly like the facial expressions of this Faust.
Pierluigi P

F.W Murnau's crafty direction and Emil Jenning's disturbing charm gives us a plunge into men's most dark ambition, sin and redemption.
Simeon D

The first half is off-the-wall spectacularly rendered both visually and aesthetically, and the second half is a somewhat silly romance between Mephisto and a witch and Faust and Gretchen. The finale makes up for the slow, meandering second half. Seems like it's true enough to… More
The first half is off-the-wall spectacularly rendered both visually and aesthetically, and the second half is a somewhat silly romance between Mephisto and a witch and Faust and Gretchen. The finale makes up for the slow, meandering second half. Seems like it's true enough to Goethe's play, so I give it points for managing to retain its intelligence. F. W. Murnau is certainly one of the creative geniuses of cinema. For a 2 hour epic silent movie, I have to admit that it holds up pretty well. 100/100
Jojo S

The film has the most touching ending in film history. The music score is over the top and the visual effect is competitive to modern standards. Every single character, Gretchen, Faust, Mephisto--all came to life under the direction of F.W. Murnau.
Buddy A

Unbelievably great visual style. The opening scene is one of the best in cinema.

Cast

Gösta Ekman
as Faust
Emil Jannings
as Mephisto
Camilla Horn
as Marguerite

Werner Fuetterer
as Archangel
Frida Richard
as Mother
William Dieterle
as Valentin

See full cast

Faust (1926)

Critic Reviews

Featured Audience Ratings

_kelly .

Pierluigi P

Simeon D

Jojo S

Buddy A

Cast

Trailers & Clips