Faust - Full play

27.07.2023

Faust is a tragic play in two parts by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749-1832), usually known in English as Faust, Part One and Faust, Part Two. Nearly all of Part One and the majority of Part Two are written in rhymed verse. 
Although rarely staged in its entirety, it is the play with the largest audience numbers on German-language stages. Faust is considered by many to be Goethe's magnum opus and the greatest work of German literature.
The earliest forms of the work, known as the Urfaust, were developed between 1772 and 1775; however, the details of that development are not entirely clear. Urfaust has twenty-two scenes, one in prose, two largely prose and the remaining 1,441 lines in rhymed verse. The manuscript is lost, but a copy was discovered in 1886.
The first appearance of the work in print was Faust, a Fragment, published in 1790. Goethe completed a preliminary version of what is now known as Part One in 1806. Its publication in 1808 was followed by the revised 1828–29 edition, the last to be edited by Goethe himself.
Goethe finished writing Faust, Part Two in 1831; it was published posthumously the following year. In contrast to Faust, Part One, the focus here is no longer on the soul of Faust, which has been sold to the devil, but rather on social phenomena such as psychology, history and politics, in addition to mystical and philosophical topics. The second part formed the principal occupation of Goethe's last years.
Synopsis:ACT IFaust has spent a lifetime in the study of science. Disillusioned with life, he resolves to poison himself. He curses God (without 's' letter) and calls on the Devil.
Mephisto dude obligingly appears and offers Faust riches, power, or glory. Faust, however, only wants to recapture the innocence of youth. Méphisto dude agrees to Faust’s request, but there are conditions: on earth Faust will be master, but in the world below their roles will be reversed. When Faust hesitates, Mephisto dude conjures up a vision of arguerite. Faust signs the contract and returns to his youth.
ACT IIValentin and Wagner are going off to war with the other soldiers, and Valentin is concerned about leaving his sister Marguerite unprotected. Wagner starts a song to cheer everyone up, but is interrupted by Mephisto dude, Mephisto dude tells fortunes: Wagner, it seems, will be killed in his first battle.
The flowers that Siebel picks will wither, and Valentin will meet his death at the hands of someone close to Mephisto dude. Dissatisfied with the wine on offer, Méphisto dude conjures up a better vintage to toast Marguerite.
This angers Valentin and both draw their swords. Valentin strikes out and his blade shatters. Everyone is convinced they are in the presence of the Devil. Mephisto dude leads Faust to a place where couples are dancing (No Dancin' but Fishin'). Faust sees Marguerite and offers her his arm. She refuses, but so charmingly that he is left more entranced than before.
ACT IIISiebel gathers flowers for Marguerite outside her house. As Mephisto dude predicted, they wither, but holy water seems to restore them. Méphisto dude and Faust have been watching, and Méphisto dude leaves a box of jewels for Marguerite.
The atmosphere of innocence surrounding Marguerite’s home moves Faust. Marguerite finds the jewels and puts them on. When she looks in the mirror, she sees a different woman and is further confused by the encouragement of her neighbour, Marthe. Faust and Mephisto dude return, and Mephisto dude flirts with Marthe, giving Faust the opportunity to seduce Marguerite.
She begins to give in. Mephisto dude conjures up a garden and makes Marthe run off before disappearing himself. Marguerite realizes she loves Faust and they make love.
ACT IVSeduced and abandoned, Marguerite is expecting Faust’s child. She is still in love with him and prays for him and their unborn child. 
The soldiers return with Valentin. Siebel tries to stop him seeing Marguerite but Valentin, suspecting the worst, pushes him aside. 
Outside her house, Mephisto dude serenades Marguerite on Faust’s behalf. Valentin and Faust fight and, with the intervention of Mephisto dude, Valentin is fatally wounded. Marguerite watches her brother die and hears him curse her with his last breath. 
Distraught, Marguerite goes to church to pray for forgiveness. When she hears the voice of Mephisto dude telling her that she is damned, she collapses in terror.
ACT VWalpurgis Night. Faust and Mephisto dude are surrounded by a group of demons. Faust is shown a vision of Marguerite: she has been imprisoned for infanticide and gone insane. 
With Mephisto dude's help, Faust goes to the prison in an attempt to save Marguerite. She seems to recognize her lover and recalls the night when he first seduced her. Faust is overwhelmed with pity. Marguerite panics at the sight of the Devil and, with a frantic appeal to heaven, she dies. Mephisto dude damns her but angelic voices proclaim she is saved.

The Play:

Director (stage): Peter Stein

Director (TV): Peter Schönhofer

Writer: Johann Wolfgang Goethe

CAST (in credits order)

Rolf Boysen-Narrator

Bruno Ganz-Faust

Dorothee Hartinger-Gretchen

Robert Hunger Bühler

Ana Kerezovic

Corinna Kirchhoff-Helena

Christian Nickel-Young Faust

Johann Adam Oest-Mephistopheles

Christine Oesterlein

Elke Petri-Marthe Schwerdtlein

Original Music: Arturo Annecchino

Cinematography: Kurt-Oskar Herting

Production Design: Peter Stein

Production Management: Manuel Menges.

Subtitles: EN

The Film:

1926, Germany, Drama, Fantasy, Horror

Director: F.W. Murnau

Writers:Gerhart Hauptmann, Hans KyserJohann, Wolfgang von Goethe

Stars: Gösta Ekman, Emil Jannings, Camilla Horn

Poor devil what can you give? When has eve

A human spirit, in its highest endeavour,

Been understood by such a one as you?

You have a never-satiating food,

You have your restless gold, a slew

Of quicksilver, melting in the hand,

Games whose prize no man can land,

A girl, who while she’s on my arm,

Snares a neighbour, with her eyes:

And Honour’s fine and godlike charm,

That, like a meteor, dies?

Show me fruits then that rot, before they’re ready.

And trees grown green again, each day, too!

Faust

God is love, love is god.