Doctor Faustus

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An adaptation of the Christopher Marlowe masterpiece, Doctor Faustus allows Richard Burton (who also co-directed) to sink his teeth into one of the great theater roles, with loyal wife Elizabeth Taylor along for the ride. Now, there were a few good movies and many follies born of the epic marriage of Burton and Taylor; Faustus is one of their most curious progeny. Alas, Burton's performance is hardly scaled back from a big, bellowing stage turn, while elsewhere the film fails to work up the most rudimentary cinematic life. And Liz? She keeps appearing, wordlessly, as a sexed-up dream temptation for poor Faustus, and finally as Helen of Troy, of "Is this the face that launched a thousand ships?" fame. The only real fun to be had here is wondering whether Burton saw the project as a metaphor for his own career: a man who sold his soul in return for earthly pleasures... as embodied by Elizabeth Taylor. --Robert Horton

Description

The legend of Doctor Faustus is the immortal tale of a German conjurer who sells his soul to the devil in exchange for a life of adventure and excitement. Richard Burton stars as the aging scholar who makes a deal with the devil for youth, knowledge, and a dazzling mistress. Taylor plays the spellbinding seductress who seals Faustus' fate. Stars Academy Award® nominee Richard Burton and Academy Award® winner Elizabeth Taylor.

Customer Reviews:

"Tell me, Faustus, shall I have thy soul?".......2007-08-21

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This movie is based on the play "The Tragical History of Dr. Faustus" (1588) by Christopher Marlowe (1564 to 1593).

The movie begins with the printed word:

"A tragic legend written down in the sixteenth century wherein a learned scientist honored with the laurels of his university, sold his soul to the devil for still greater knowledge and power in the unknown."

This brief introduction also summarizes the entire movie (except for the ending).

Dr. Faustus (the legendary Richard Burton, 1925 to 1984) actually signs a contract in his own blood with Mephistopheles (a disciple of the devil played by Andreas Teuber) present (and who asks the question that titles this review). Faustus is unsure of his decision but quickly adapts to his new life gaining not only power but other delights including the satisfaction of his lust for Helen of Troy (Elizabeth Taylor), "the face that launch'd a thousand ships." Besides he is told that,

"In Hell is all manner of delight."

But when Faustus begins to strongly regret his decision, it's too late and he has nothing to look forward too but "eternal damnation."

This movie is a tour de force for Richard Burton (who also co-directed and co-produced). The almost Shakespearean dialogue flows off his tongue and his acting as Dr. Faustus is superb. I sensed that he was really enjoying this role.

Surprisingly, Andreas Teuber who plays Mephistopheles (this was his first major movie role) also gives a convincing performance as the devil's assistant.

Be aware that Elizabeth Taylor as Helen has no speaking parts in this movie. At the end, she laughs wickedly.

The scenery and costumes were, I felt, fantastic. All filming took place in Rome. The background music adds to each scene.

A note on the language. Above I said it was "almost Shakespearean." This is because I find that Marlowe's language is not nearly as difficult to understand as Shakespeare's. However, I still recommend turning on the English subtitles. (Those viewers who are used to Elizabethan language should easily understand this movie.)

I should mention that this movie was put down by critics when it first came out. For myself, I can't understand why. This movie stayed with me long after I finished watching it (mainly due to Richard Burton's performance).

Finally, the DVD itself (the one released in 2004) is perfect in picture and sound quality. It has no significant extras.

In conclusion, in my opinion, this movie brings Christopher Marlow's classic play to life! By the end of it you will definitely know that

"the reward of sin is death."

(1967; 90 min; wide screen; 28 scenes)

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Certainly Not One of Burton and Taylor's Best.......2007-01-14

This movie adaptation of Christopher Marlowe's DOCTOR FAUSTUS was panned by the critics in 1968 when it was released as well it should have been. I haven't seen it since then and find it much worse than I remembered. Not much works very well here. In parts of the film, particularly at the beginning, Richard Burton looks for all the world like the Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor as he bellows forth. Elizabeth Taylor floats in and out of the scenes, sometimes as a redhead, at other times a blonde and once she appears to be painted silver from head to toe much like the street mimes in European cities. Of course she finally makes her entrance as the beautiful Helen of Troy, causing Faustus to utter the immortal lines, "Is this the face that launched a thousand ships?" The special effects leave much to be desired. Skulls talk and much of the sets look like a Halloween haunted house. Since Burton co-directed this film, he must be responsible in large part for the finished product.

On a positive note, Andreas Teuber turns in a good performance as Mephistoopheles. Unfortunately his acting, along with the words of the great playwright Christopher Marlowe, is not enough to save this movie.

Ripe For Rediscovery........2006-07-04

Back in 1967 when this film was first released, critics jumped all over it as just a Richard Burton-Elizabeth Taylor vanity project which it was but that's all they saw. Now that Dick and Liz have been supplanted by Tom and Katie and Brad and Angelina the film is ripe for rediscovery and there is much to discover here. The beauty of Christopher Marlowe's play lies in the poetry of the lines and the philosophical and theological points the playwright raises. This Oxford University production which Burton co-directed captures its stage origins but is cleverly opened up in a number of ways which turn it into a fascinating cinematic experience thanks to an imaginative use of lighting, beautiful cinematography, and a haunting musical score by Mario Nascimbene (ONE MILLION YEARS B.C.). And then there is Richard Burton. His intense portrayal of the title character is a joy to behold and serves as a vivid reminder of just what a charismatic performer he was. His glorious voice speaks the Elizabethan text as if it were everyday conversation but with a power and conviction that must be heard to be believed and thanks to the optional DVD subtitles you can follow along as he speaks if you wish. The rest of the cast is made up of members of the Oxford Dramatic Society and they fufill the other roles satisfactorily with Andreas Teuber an absolute standout as a melancholy Mephistopheles. Last but not least there is Elizabeth Taylor. She is required to do nothing more than look beautiful in various guises (she has no dialogue) but she makes her presence felt throughout considering how beautiful she was back then. Chances are no one will redo Marlowe's play on film anytime soon and so there is even more reason to celebrate this version which clearly shows what the play has to offer as a great precursor to Shakespeare and how to make a major film on a minor budget.

Richard the Great.......2006-06-28

This film is a great showcase of the amazing acting talent of the Immortal Richard Burton. What better material than the great Christopher Marlowe, the one who paved the way for Shakespeare for Richard Burton to flex his immense acting power and to speak what poetry in such a beautiful and mighty voice?

The first time I saw this film, I was mesmerized. I had already known of the greatness of Richard Burton with my viewing of The Spy who came in from the Cold but when I saw this film, I was entirely convinced of the fact that Richard Burton is up there with Laurence Olivier, and beyond? Possibly.

Haunting adaptation of Marlowe's play.......2006-06-25

This 1967 film of Christipher Marlowe's play is quite good. Richard Burton is very convincing in the role of Faustus, a scholar who sells his soul to the devil in exchange for power, wealth, and knowledge. Elizabeth Taylor appears briefly several times as Helen of Troy and other characters, but she does not even speak except for her laughing at the end. Burton contributes much more with his fine acting and delivery of great lines from the play such as "Is the face that launched a thousand ships and burnt the topless towers of Illium?" Was Liz Taylor as Helen really that beautiful? I guess that's for her admirers to decide. The film's music is also haunting and moving. All of the great acting and sombre atmosphere help to make up for the movie's being limited almost entirely to a simple stage and inexpensive props.

The DVD has fairly good sound and picture quality, although it doesn't seem that any restoration was done to the film. Trailers from other movies were included but unfortunately no material directly related to this film. The DVD that I purchased was in full screen (despite it being advertised as widescreen), but I am happy with this because my TV screen is the regular size.

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