This movie is, as of a few days ago (October 14th), officially 100 years old! This is my third rewatch of one of my favorite silent films and it never gets dull. The long shots brought with this era really let you take in the perfectly-crafted atmosphere and the somber look at humanity it provided. I will not stand here and say that Faust is a good book, because it has the most selfish and foul set of morals I’ve ever heard, but this movie removes itself from that confusing cesspool and into coherency. The set design and makeup are completely amazing, especially for its time. The costumes are really just perfect for the setting and characters, the special effects are the best that could be done at the time and more, I can feel Murnau’s effort through all these details. The cinematography is also so atypical for silent film, usually its film with one camera, I have no doubt this one is too, and because of that it keeps very simple shots and doesn’t have many scene changes. But this movie will cut away from a shot and return to it and move on entirely. Meaningfully random second-long shots of glass breaking, a close up of an item or face, these things feel so modern it’s unreal to see in a 100 year old movie. My biggest issue with this film is one I go back and forth on constantly, I can’t tell if it ruins the movie or not for me. This is the ending, the claim that love conquers all and that Faust is absolved of all evil doings. Gretchen and his love was not real, the necklace intended to cast a spell on her that didn’t even fully work, when Faust tries to kiss her, she repeatedly pulls away. And yet they try and the end to say that because he died by her side he did not give up the Godly side of himself. I cannot get past this fact about this movie, it would be significantly higher up in my favorites if this piece didn’t exist.
Plot - 9
Characters - 10
Pacing - 9
Themes - 10
Animation or Cinematography - 10
Emotional Impact - 10
Uniqueness - 8
Dialogue - 8
Overall Enjoyment - 10
Overall Quality - 9
Total Score: 93%
