Faust

Rating:
Summary: A masterpiece
Review: A striking movie rendition of the classic tale of Faust. The story is set in contemporary Prague, in the typical Svankmejer's mixture of animation and real actors. The twist on a classical story is haunting, and the way in which the story itself develops makes for an unforgettable experience. It is a real pleasure to discover that many of the (apparently irrelevant) details you see in the first few minutes become significant as the story evolves. The conclusion brings everything together in a rather surprising fashion. As a fan of Svankmejer, I think this is probably his best work. This review is based on the DVD version.

Rating:
Summary: imagination from europe
Review: Are you sick of Hollywood slick 2 hour commercials? I am, So I have started watching the films of European Artists, I say Artists because thats what they are as opposed to Hollywood cash hounds, except for maybe David Lynch, Tim Burton and a few other visionaries. Faust is Svankmeyers version of Goethe's tale of a deal with the devil for answers to the enigmas of the universe.
Played out in a surreal marrionette show in some parts, with cool stop motion and claymation, that is way cooler than CGI (Ray Harryhausen anyone?) European cinema's budgets are way lower than USA's but I think that keeps them more handmade like a painting as opposed to a computer made image (advertisement) If you like a film which you have to figure out the mysteries of symbolism, then you will enjoy Faust, its a movie you can watch again and again and see new things. If you are a fan of surreal or visionary cinema like City of Lost Children, Brazil ,Eraserhaed, Dr. Caligari, Santa Sangre, Suspiria, Nightmare before Christmas, etc. thn you will probably dig this.

Rating:
Summary: good movie
Review: brillant movie, but hell and comedy dont really mix that well, thats why i only gave it a 4

Rating:
Summary: Masterpiece!
Review: Faust is yet another Czech surrealist masterpiece by Jan Svankmajer. The movie has a sick sense of humor, and does a wonderful job confusing you with its breathtaking imagery.
The integration of marionettes with live action and stop action is candy for the eyes! The movie left me wanting more. It's just never enough...

Rating:
Summary: Homebrewer
Review: Here, Svankmeyer basically juxtaposes a staged showing of the play FAUST with the story of the man who is kidnapped into playing Faust. As the film rolls on, the character's story and the actor's story become more and more indistinguishable. There are also a bunch of insane devil marionettes and the whole thing has the vibe of a medieval Punch and Judy show.

Probably the main thing I liked about FAUST was the fact that, although it is a fairly surreal film, it doesn't go out of it's way to be strange for strangeness's sake [like the Czech film DAISIES or the Georgian REPENTANCE, though those are okay movies]. Sure, you have bizarre goings-on like a stop-motion fetus in a jar growing old and turning into a skull, but many of the details you thought were unrelated to the story all wrap up in a very pleasing manner.

Of course, not all of your questions will be answered. I still don't understand the significance of the theater sets versus real scenery, or why Faust sometimes appears in his costume and sometimes in his regular trench coat. But I'm glad I don't completely get it--I like a movie to provoke thought rather than explain everything outright.

Also, man, what's with the other comments saying this is an art-house flick, or only pretentious snobs will enjoy it? Sure, FAUST is not for everybody, because not everybody likes unusual or even minorly challenging movies. Don't let the reverse-snobs scare you away

Rating:
Summary: I agree
Review: I am in full agreement with the above review. To expand upon the issue of the mix between genres, this film contains a scene wherein the actors are suspended as marionettes - mixing puppetry with live action. As the above reviewer noted, I've never seen anything like it.

Rating:
Summary: Movie from the director of Tool videos never ceases to amaze
Review: I first saw bits of this movie in a music store in Birmingham, AL. I have always been facinated with stop-action animation and i KNEW i had to see this movie in its entirity. I bought it immediately and haven't stopped watching it since. With every viewing you get something new out of it. I also agree that this movie is not for those who can't appreciate a foreign, "artsy" or intellectual film. I mean, there is no dialogue for the first 30 mins. You really have to WANT to watch this movie.

Rating:
Summary: Brilliant Avante Garde portrayal of Chris Marlowe's Faust
Review: I have fond memories of this film in my ealier adult years, being very ripped on 'mood altering substances' and having a good ole kick back and watch of this film! It really used to bend my head! These days although making more sense in regards to a linear plot, I was somewhat dissapointed with the fact that this DVD does not offer the film in it's orginal language (Czech). Having seen the film in it's original language with English subtitles, I must say that the poorly dubbed voices, although bearing close resemblance to the original film do not give it the ambience it remember, however I'm sure than anyone watching this film for the first time in this dubbed format will throughly enjoy it!
Definately one to kick back with a Philly and a Guiness and enjoy!

Rating:
Summary: "Why this is hell nor am I out of it"
Review: I have the three Svankmeyer DVDs, and this is my favorite, if only for the language of Christopher Marlowe. It's part Marlowe, part Goethe, part Grabbe (whoever that is), and part Svankmeyer. I would've prefered just Marlowe, but one must be satisfied with what's available. The Faust character appears to be a schoolteacher who's tricked into appearing in a performance of 'Faust' that's not entirely play-acting. He switches between being himself, being himself playing Faust, being a marionette of Faust, and Faust himself. Like the clay he uses to make his animations, Svankmeyer has molded the various uses of the legend by other artists into an altogether effective presentation. My favorite is the appearance of Mephistopheles in clay forming his visage to reflect Faust's. Svankmeyer uses a form of stop-action to make live actors appear as if they've been animated. Like many eccentric filmmakers, Svankmeyer seems to be at his best when constrained and guided by the work of greater artists. As far as I know, this film is only one of two available on DVD or VHS that presents Marlowe at least partially. The other is Derek Jarman's "Edward II".

Rating:
Summary: jan's best!
Review: I have yet to see jan's "lil otik" but out of all his others "faust" is by far the best of his vivid,imaginative works.new fans will want to see "alice"(his stop-motion take on alice in wonderland)first to get a real feel for his stuff.then buy "faust" if you like alice.the story is actually based off of a play,and includes live actors,string puppets,claymation,and such awesome scenery!fans of david lynch's "eraserhead" should not miss this.