Import Faust

The Devil and God battle over the soul of a learned man, but who will win the wager?

"Faust" is an enormous production, crashing from side to side with ferocity, but still tending to softer moments involving the human characters as they struggle with their unique challenges and persecution. While dramatic depth remains, it always comes in second to Murnau's directorial dominance, presenting a journey into another, more biblically minded world that's frequently spectacular.

This was Murnau's last film in Germany. After filming Faust , Murnau left Ufa and went to Hollywood. This artistic yet attention-grabbing film was a fine ending to his German period. The special effects were awe inspiring for the time, and the morality play was interesting. The picture on this Blu-ray is outstanding for a film this old, and the musical tracks are both excellent. One of Murnau's great films on a great Blu-ray set. Highly Recommended.

"Faust" is best left for those equipped for this type of grueling adventure, as Sokurov doesn't make a casual viewing easy. Pacing is troublesome, as is the overall approach, which almost invites immediate dismissal, but it's difficult to deny the visual achievements of the feature. There are elaborate costumes to enjoy and an overall illness to the locations that reinforce Faust's hellish experience, generating a fullness of vision that's not easy to achieve. However, Sokurov doesn't extend invitations to the funeral, with much of "Faust" fighting outside appreciation by dragging along instead of coming alive. There are moments in the movie when the viewer will undoubtedly be willing to sell their soul to watch something else.