Faust (1926 film)

Faust German Faust Eine deutsche Volkssage is a 1926 silent film produced by UFA, directed by F. W. Murnau, starring Gsta Ekman as Faust, Emil Jannings as Mephisto, Camilla Horn as GretchenMarguerite, Frida Richard as her mother, Wilhelm Dieterle as her brother and Yvette Guilbert as Marthe Schwerdtlein, her aunt. Murnaus film draws on older traditions of the legendary tale of Faust as well as on Goethes classic version. UFA wanted Ludwig Berger to direct Faust, as Murnau was engaged with Variety Murnau pressured the producer and, backed by Jannings, eventually persuaded Erich Pommer to let him direct the film.

The demon Mephisto has a bet with an Archangel that he can corrupt a righteous mans soul and destroy in him what is divine. If he succeeds, the Devil will win dominion over earth.The Devil delivers a plague to the village where Faust, an elderly alchemist, lives. Though he prays to stop the death and starvation, nothing happens. Disheartened, Faust throws his alchemy books in the fire, and then the Bible too. One book opens, showing how to have power and glory by making a pact with the Devil. He goes to a crossroads as described in the books procedure and conjures up the forces of evil. With Mephisto appearing at the roadside. Faust then makes a trial, 24hour bargain with the Devil. Faust will have Mephistos service till the sand runs out in an hourglass, at which time the Devil will rescind the pact. At first, Faust uses his new power to help the people of the village, but they shun him when they find out that he cannot face a cross. They stone him and he takes shelter in his home. ........

Source: Wikipedia