Faust (1926 movie) facts for kids

Faust is a famous 1926 German silent movie. This means it had no spoken dialogue, only music and intertitles (text cards) to tell the story. The movie was directed by F. W. Murnau, a very important director in film history.

The main actors were Gösta Ekman as Faust, Emil Jannings as Mephisto, and Camilla Horn as Gretchen. The story is about an old man who makes a deal with the devil. He sells his soul to become young again. The movie mixes old folk tales about Faust with ideas from Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's famous play.

Faust was a very difficult and expensive movie to make for its time. It was also Murnau's last German movie before he moved to the United States. There, he directed another famous film called Sunrise. A scene from Faust, called the "Bald Mountain" scene, even inspired a part of Walt Disney's classic movie Fantasia.

What is Faust About?

Faust tells a classic story about good versus evil. It explores what happens when someone makes a deal with the devil. The movie begins with the Archangel making a bet with the demon Mephisto. Mephisto believes he can corrupt a good man named Faust.

The Deal with the Devil

Faust is an old scholar who feels sad and hopeless. A terrible plague is sweeping through his town. He tries to help, but he cannot stop the suffering. Mephisto appears to Faust and offers him a deal. If Faust sells his soul, Mephisto will give him youth and power.

Faust agrees to the deal. He becomes young and handsome again. He can now experience all the joys of life. However, this new life comes with a high price.

Faust and Gretchen

As a young man, Faust meets a beautiful and innocent woman named Gretchen. They fall in love. But Mephisto's evil influence causes trouble for them. Gretchen's life becomes very difficult because of Faust's deal.

The story shows the tragic results of Faust's choices. It highlights the power of love and sacrifice. The movie explores themes of temptation, sin, and redemption.

Making the Movie Faust

Creating Faust was a huge challenge for the filmmakers. It was one of the biggest movies made in Germany at that time. The budget was about 2 million marks, which was a lot of money back then.

Special Effects and Set Design

The movie is known for its amazing special effects. These effects were very advanced for the 1920s. For example, there are scenes where Mephisto flies over a town. The filmmakers used clever camera tricks to make this look real.

The sets were also very detailed and impressive. They helped create a dark and magical world for the story. The movie's look helped make it a classic.

Who Was F. W. Murnau?

F. W. Murnau was a German film director. He is considered one of the most important directors in the history of silent films. He was known for his unique visual style. He used shadows, light, and camera movements to tell stories.

Murnau directed many famous movies. His most well-known films include Nosferatu (1922) and The Last Laugh (1924). Faust was his last movie made in Germany. After Faust, he moved to Hollywood in the United States.

The Legacy of Faust

Faust is still seen as a masterpiece of silent cinema. It is praised for its acting, direction, and visual style. Many filmmakers and artists have been inspired by it.

Influence on Disney's Fantasia

One famous example of its influence is in Walt Disney's animated movie Fantasia. The "Night on Bald Mountain" segment in Fantasia was directly inspired by a scene in Faust. In that scene, Mephisto takes Faust on a terrifying flight over a mountain filled with demons. Disney animators studied Murnau's work to create their own spooky sequence.

Faust continues to be studied and enjoyed by film fans today. It shows how powerful movies can be, even without spoken words.

• Eisner, Lotte H. 1973. Murnau. University of California Press. ISBN: 978-0520024250.

• Faust at the Arts & Faith Top100 Spiritually Significant Films list