Watch Faust For Free

Good , But It Is Overrated By Some

This is one of the few movies I've ever seen where the whole audience broke into spontaneous, loud applause a third of the way in.

While it doesn't offer any answers, it both thrills and makes you think.

It is an exhilarating, distressing, funny and profound film, with one of the more memorable film scores in years,

Faust was the first Jan Svankmajer's movie I've seen and I've been literally stunned by his wicked and exotic interpretation of this classic plot. This is not a literal adaptation of the book written by Goethe, but a surreal combination of the different version of the original story (Like, for example, the play of Cristopher Marlowe) with stop-motion animation, live action performances and puppets. The result it's very interesting and well made, creating a unique and fascinating world. It's easy to see in what way filmmakers like Terry Gilliam, the brothers Quay were influenced by the astounding work of Jan Svankmajer: There is a great, dark atmosphere, filled with bizarre creatures and strange situations, like in the movies of those directors. If you love dark, surreal films, then you will like a lot this.

Surrealism tends to fall in one of 2 categories:(1) Random, confounding, absurd images best enjoyed under the influence of psychomorphic drugs(2) Careful, structured, lucid themes augmented by unusual visuals, all of which is designed to raise our understanding beyond what is "real"Or, I could also say that Surrealism tends to fall in one of 2 categories:(1) Sucky movies(2) Awesome moviesI'm happy to report that in both cases, this film is a #2. It can be compared with the masterpieces of Jean Cocteau (Orphee, Beauty & the Beast), or if you prefer the modern stuff it can be compared with Terry Gilliam's early work. Svankmajer has that same creative spirit, the same eye for the bizarre and yet the same intelligence in presentation that makes for great art. He also has a slightly disturbing edge.This is a great film for profound cinephiles as well as casual filmgoers in the mood for something completely different. This isn't simply a masturbatory showcase of "how much weird & pointless stuff we can throw at you", the way many famous Surrealists operate. Rather, this roots itself with a solid, philosophical foundation & excellent dialogue and takes it to the next level with creative visuals. Svankmajer has a fantastic sense of humour, too, so you never get the feeling that he's some pompous, pretentious jerk showing off what he can do with a camera.This movie's hallmark, as with much of Svankmajer's work, is the fantastic use of puppetry. It can be both comedic and chilling, and it definitely puts you into a mind-warping state of mind which is perfect for a tale of this scope.I'm rating this a 10/10, and you can see by my voting history that I don't give 10s casually. This is truly a fantastic work.An important note: You should really read Marlowe's "Dr. Faustus" before watching this movie. And be sure it's the MARLOWE version (1604), not the Goethe version (1806) titled "Faust". Yes, the title of this movie is misleading.

A very artistically playfully free film with the use of stop motion which must take a hell of a lot of work. This film is full of alchemical humour with the use of marionettes and what not. This film gave me that nostalgia to visit Prague again. This film is not exactly scary but tremendously haunting and is bound to remain imprinted in your mind. It is so dreamlike that to some it can be pretty disturbing. I think that this film is bursting with magic. Svankmajer is profoundly imaginative and consistent in his creativity, his work is pretty astounding. Here he plays around with the myth of Dr Faustus with the use of very diabolical life size marionettes and demons from hell who offer our main Czech actor all that he could possibly want in return for his soul. This is shockingly unique stuff.

Well, I'll admit the marionettes can be a bit annoying, but really, I thought the movie was pretty damn good. You can practically feel the guy's mental state deteriorating near the end, as everything gets more and more frantic. I wouldn't show it to any kids though, they might be traumatized by the marionettes. I know I give 'em sidelong glances now when I pass them.I didn't try and approach it as anything deep or meaningful, though, just something to watch while sipping some fine extra Thujone Czech absinthe with friends. For that purpose, it served its role well, and stands out as one of the most insane but enjoyable movies I saw last year.