- This entrancing story, drawn from the world-renowned tragedy of Goethe, opens in the mysterious working den of Dr. Faust, who, old and worn out with years of stern study, and on the verge of despair through longing for the pleasures of his bygone youth, all of which he has surrendered to his learning, thinks of resorting to in order to end the weariness of his declining days. He, however, dashes down the cup at the last moment, and calls upon the infernal powers to aid him. Immediately Mephistopheles appears and offers him youth and pleasure in exchange for the surrender of his soul. Faust, dazzled by the splendor of the vision which is to him by his alluring companion, accepts the compact, signs the fatal paper, and is at once transformed into a handsome young man. Mephistopheles then shows Faust the beautiful Marguerite, and immediately he falls desperately in love with the innocent girl. Finally, aided by the perfidious suggestions of his companion, Faust succeeds is in winning the heart of poor Marguerite. Valentine, eager to revenge his sister's honor, is killed in a duel by Faust, who seeks safety in flight. Betrayed, deserted, demented from sorrow, the unfortunate Marguerite is thrown into a dungeon and left to her grief. Meanwhile, Mephistopheles endeavors to make Faust forget the unhappy girl, but in vain; love has overcome the powers of evil, and all his magic is In vain. Faust hastens to the prison and seeks Marguerite; his passionate words of love restore her for a moment to reason, but only for a moment. She is just able to offer him forgiveness, and then dies in his arms. Rarely has there been a better representation of this wonderful drama. The pitiful story of Marguerite and Faust makes its appeal to all humanity, and words cannot add to its charm and effectiveness.—Moving Picture World synopsis
- The scene opens in the study of Faust. He pores over his musty tomes and summons the spirit of evil, but by incantation, instead of invocation. The devil is of the modern French school, based upon the new interpretation, instead of the old Mephistopheles of tradition with his mustache and imperial. The horned Cap and Crimson Cloak are his only hallmarks, but the makeup is more sinister and more effective. The matter of the barter of Faust's soul is proceeded with more leisurely than in the opera. Faust is shown Marguerite through an open window instead of the backdrop, and as Mephisto leaves him, changing into the form of a dog, Faust summons his servant and hurries to the kirmess where he hopes to see his enslaver. She is not at the dance and it is after Faust's return to his laboratory that the devil tempts him. Even then, Faust hesitates, but the appearance of Marguerite's face in a magic mirror determines him and the pact is signed with the alchemist's blood. He is taken to a cavern, where he is caused to drink a potion prepared by an old witch. And it is this which restores to him his manly vigor. He and the tempter hurry off and come upon Marguerite and Martha as they come from church. Faust makes an impression and Mephisto plays upon Marguerite's vanity with the gift of jewels. Later Faust is introduced into Marguerite's apartment by the Devil and the next scene shows the penitent Marguerite before a wayside shrine, a scene not in the story, but introduced in lieu of the church scene because of the effectiveness of the setting with its veil-like waterfall and precipitous cliffs. Valentine's return is followed by the duel and the imprisonment of Marguerite for the supposed murder, instead of for infanticide as in the legend, and the concluding scenes show the prison cell, the death of Marguerite and the delivery of Faust to the Devil.—The Film Index synopsis
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