Faust in the Underworld

Plot

Georges Méliès' 'Faust in the Underworld' depicts the legendary scholar Faust's descent into Hell after making his pact with Mephistopheles. The film opens with Faust being welcomed into the underworld by the Devil himself, who presents him with various temptations including dancing ethereal women and supernatural entertainments. Initially enthralled by these demonic delights, Faust's excitement soon turns to terror as he witnesses increasingly horrific torments and monstrous apparitions. The narrative culminates with Faust surrounded by demons and experiencing the full horror of his damnation, all presented through Méliès' signature theatrical style and elaborate painted sets. The film serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of making deals with dark forces, presented with the visual spectacle that characterized Méliès' fantasy productions.

Historical Background

1903 was a pivotal year in early cinema, occurring just eight years after the first public film screenings by the Lumière brothers. This period saw the transition from simple actualities and trick films to more complex narrative productions. Georges Méliès was at the forefront of this evolution, having already established himself as a master of cinematic illusion with films like 'A Trip to the Moon' (1902). The Faust legend was particularly resonant in European culture at the time, with recent theatrical productions and literary adaptations keeping the story fresh in public consciousness. The film emerged during the Belle Époque in France, a period of artistic innovation and technological advancement that saw cinema developing from a novelty attraction to a legitimate art form. Méliès' work represented the theatrical tradition in early cinema, contrasting with the realist approach of the Lumière brothers and setting the stage for the fantasy and horror genres that would flourish in later decades.

Making Of

The production of 'Faust in the Underworld' showcased Georges Méliès at the height of his creative powers as a filmmaker and showman. Working in his glass-walled studio in Montreuil-sous-Bois, Méliès employed his extensive background in stage magic and theater design to create a spectacular vision of Hell. The sets were constructed on multiple levels to create depth and dimension, with trap doors and hidden mechanisms allowing performers to appear and disappear magically. Méliès used his pioneering multiple exposure technique to overlay different images, creating ghostly apparitions and supernatural transformations that amazed audiences of the time. The dancers had to perform on raked stages and through smoke effects, requiring careful choreography and timing. The production involved extensive costume design, with each demon and monster having unique makeup and prosthetics created in Méliès' workshop. The film's success led to Méliès creating other literary adaptations, though none quite matched the visual spectacle of this underworld fantasy.

Visual Style

The cinematography in 'Faust in the Underworld' exemplifies Georges Méliès' theatrical approach to filmmaking, featuring static camera positions that captured the action as if viewing a stage production. The film was shot using a hand-cranked camera, with Méliès employing careful framing to showcase his elaborate painted sets and multiple levels of action. The visual style incorporates deep staging, with performers moving between foreground and background to create depth and dimension. Méliès used his pioneering multiple exposure technique to create ghostly overlays and supernatural apparitions, while substitution splices allowed for magical transformations and disappearances. The film was originally hand-tinted frame by frame, adding color to enhance the supernatural atmosphere and highlight important visual elements. The lighting was theatrical in nature, using footlights and overhead illumination to create dramatic shadows and highlights that emphasized the otherworldly nature of the underworld setting.

Innovations

'Faust in the Underworld' showcased several of Georges Méliès' pioneering technical innovations in early cinema. The film employed sophisticated multiple exposure techniques, allowing Méliès to create ghostly apparitions and supernatural beings that appeared to interact with live performers. His use of substitution splices enabled magical transformations and disappearances that amazed contemporary audiences. The production featured elaborate pyrotechnics and smoke effects, carefully synchronized with the action to enhance the supernatural atmosphere. Méliès' studio innovations included trap doors, hidden wires, and mechanical devices that allowed performers to seemingly float and fly through the air. The film's hand-tinting process, though labor-intensive, added color to key elements and helped distinguish between different supernatural realms. The multi-level set construction demonstrated Méliès' understanding of spatial composition within the flat medium of film, creating depth through careful staging and perspective.

Music

The original 1903 release would have been accompanied by live musical performance, typically a pianist or small orchestra playing selections from classical pieces or popular music of the era. The restored version includes a newly composed score that attempts to recreate the musical atmosphere of early 20th century cinema exhibition. The musical accompaniment would have been crucial in establishing the mood and helping audiences understand the narrative, especially during the more fantastical sequences. Contemporary screenings often feature original compositions inspired by the film's visual themes, incorporating elements that reflect the demonic and supernatural nature of the story. The music helps bridge the gap for modern viewers, providing emotional context that early audiences would have received from both the live performance and their cultural familiarity with the Faust legend.

Memorable Scenes

• The opening sequence where Mephistopheles welcomes Faust to Hell with elaborate theatrical gestures and magical effects
• The dance of the ethereal women who tempt Faust with their supernatural beauty and grace
• The appearance of various demons and monsters through multiple exposure effects, creating terrifying apparitions that surround Faust
• The final sequence showing Faust's terror as he witnesses the full horrors of Hell, with smoke, fire, and tormented souls filling the screen

What Critics Said

Contemporary reception of 'Faust in the Underworld' was largely positive, with trade publications praising its spectacular visual effects and imaginative design. The film was particularly noted for its elaborate sets and effective use of color through hand-tinting techniques that Méliès employed in many of his productions. Critics of the time marveled at the film's ability to create a convincing supernatural world through cinematic means, though some found the imagery too intense for general audiences. Modern critics and film historians view the work as a significant example of Méliès' mature style and his mastery of cinematic illusion. The film is now recognized as an important early example of horror cinema and a showcase of Méliès' technical innovations. Contemporary scholars particularly appreciate the film's preserved restoration, which includes narration that helps modern viewers understand the narrative context that would have been familiar to 1903 audiences.

What Audiences Thought

Early 1900s audiences were reportedly both fascinated and frightened by 'Faust in the Underworld,' with many viewers finding the demonic imagery particularly striking. The film was popular in both France and international markets, where Méliès' Star Film Company had established distribution networks. Contemporary accounts suggest that audiences were especially impressed by the film's elaborate sets and the seemingly magical appearance and disappearance of performers through Méliès' special effects techniques. The dancing women and supernatural entertainments were particular highlights for viewers, though some found the more horrific elements disturbing. The film's success helped cement Méliès' reputation as a master of cinematic fantasy and contributed to the growing public appetite for narrative films over simple actualities. Modern audiences viewing the restored version often express surprise at the sophistication of the effects and the film's ability to create atmosphere despite its technical limitations by today's standards.

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