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Faust (1926 - F.W. Murnau)
Last night I went to a screening of Murnau's Faust, which had a live musical accompaniment of an original score by the Italian Gatto Marte Quartet. They primarily play piano, violin, bassoon and double-bass, but they also used instruments as odd as a didgeridoo and a gazoo throughout. This was not a traditional score, obviously, but an eclectic mix of styles that actually worked perfectly set to Murnau's strong visuals. Murnau uses only the basics of Gothe's play in constructing his dark fantasy. The Devil makes a wager with an Angel that he can corrupt the doctor, Faust (Gösta Ekman), so he brings plague and pestilence to the village. After seeing so many die and unable to help them, Faust loses his faith in God and science, and in steps Mephisto (Emil Jannings) with an offer: if Faust signs over his soul, he will be granted the power to save the dying. At first he will not accept, but eventually agrees to have a one day trial. He is able to help, but the townspeople turn against him when they see his ability is on loan from The Devil. Mephisto then gives Faust his youth back, and helps him seduce a beautiful princess. Just before he is going to consumate his lust, Mephisto informs him that his day is up. Faust agrees to make the deal permanent.
Murnau was one of the medium's first great visionaries. His striking impressionistic style coupled with an aptitude for special effects are on full display in Faust. The second half of the story, where Faust falls in love with an innocent girl (Camilla Horn) and Mephisto does his worst to make sure nothing but pain and tragedy result, is not nearly as strong as the set-up, and at two hours the meandering second half does make the movie feel overlong. But at this special screening in particular that hardly mattered, as even when the story faltered the amazing score and fascinating performance by Gatto Marte made for a Hell of an evening.
Gatto Marte does travel the world with this presentation, so if you see it screening in your town give it a look.
Faust (1926 - F.W. Murnau)
Last night I went to a screening of Murnau's Faust, which had a live musical accompaniment of an original score by the Italian Gatto Marte Quartet. They primarily play piano, violin, bassoon and double-bass, but they also used instruments as odd as a didgeridoo and a gazoo throughout. This was not a traditional score, obviously, but an eclectic mix of styles that actually worked perfectly set to Murnau's strong visuals. Murnau uses only the basics of Gothe's play in constructing his dark fantasy. The Devil makes a wager with an Angel that he can corrupt the doctor, Faust (Gösta Ekman), so he brings plague and pestilence to the village. After seeing so many die and unable to help them, Faust loses his faith in God and science, and in steps Mephisto (Emil Jannings) with an offer: if Faust signs over his soul, he will be granted the power to save the dying. At first he will not accept, but eventually agrees to have a one day trial. He is able to help, but the townspeople turn against him when they see his ability is on loan from The Devil. Mephisto then gives Faust his youth back, and helps him seduce a beautiful princess. Just before he is going to consumate his lust, Mephisto informs him that his day is up. Faust agrees to make the deal permanent.
Murnau was one of the medium's first great visionaries. His striking impressionistic style coupled with an aptitude for special effects are on full display in Faust. The second half of the story, where Faust falls in love with an innocent girl (Camilla Horn) and Mephisto does his worst to make sure nothing but pain and tragedy result, is not nearly as strong as the set-up, and at two hours the meandering second half does make the movie feel overlong. But at this special screening in particular that hardly mattered, as even when the story faltered the amazing score and fascinating performance by Gatto Marte made for a Hell of an evening.
Gatto Marte does travel the world with this presentation, so if you see it screening in your town give it a look.