The centenary of F.W. Murnau’s 1926 silent film *Faust* offers an opportunity to revisit this seminal work, a visually striking adaptation of Goethe’s 19th-century drama about the alchemist and philosopher who sells his soul to the devil. Unlike earlier interpretations—such as Christopher Marlowe’s darker, more unforgiving *Doctor Faustus*—Murnau’s version culminates in a redemptive resolution rooted in love, though it is not divine love in a theological sense but rather the transformative power of a virtuous woman.
Set against the cultural backdrop of Weimar Germany, the film blends fantasy, melodrama, and dark satire. It incorporates striking imagery and sequences imbued with the era’s turbulent energy, including a notable scene in which Faust burns his books on necromancy alongside a Bible—a moment that resonates ominously in light of later historical events and may have influenced Klaus Mann’s novel *Mephisto*, which was subsequently adapted for the screen.
Gösta Ekman stars as Faust, portrayed as an aged, prophetic figure whose despair over plague and destruction leads him to strike a provisional 24-hour deal with Mephisto, the devil’s emissary played by Emil Jannings. Jannings, who would make Hollywood history two years later as the first recipient of the Academy Award for Best Actor, embodies Mephisto with a distinctive mix of menace and dark humor. The character’s aversion to the crucifix evokes vampiric imagery, linking this work to Murnau’s earlier film *Nosferatu*.
Under the terms of their bargain, Faust is granted worldly pleasures, including indulgence in a bacchanal and an affair with the Duchess of Parma. Yet, his true desire is to regain his youth and return home, where he falls in love with the innocent Gretchen, portrayed by Camilla Horn. Meanwhile, Mephisto engages in comic mischief with Gretchen’s boisterous Aunt Marthe, played by Yvette Guilbert. The narrative darkens as Gretchen faces tragic consequences, sentenced to death for the murder of her child, while Faust is pursued for killing Gretchen’s brother Valentin, who is depicted by William Dieterle—later an Oscar-winning director.
The film’s ambition is evident in its scale and technical artistry. Elaborate model work creates expansive landscapes and cityscapes over which Faust and Mephisto appear to fly. One of the most memorable images depicts Mephisto as a colossal, ominous angel of evil, his immense black wings casting a shadow over the city below.
*Faust* continues to be recognized for its innovative visual style and thematic complexity and is available for viewing on Mubi from October 14, marking 100 years since its original release.