Summary
An elderly alchemist, Henri Faust, retires from his post as a university professor,
disappointed that even after fifty years of study he has still not unravelled the secrets
of nature. One evening he receives a visit from the Devil’s agent, Mephistopheles,
who offers Faust the chance to relive his life again. Faust is reluctant to accept
the offer but finds himself transformed into a much younger man. Although he is
delighted with his new-found youth, Faust still refuses to sign away his soul to the Devil.
The cunning Mephistopheles perseveres with his diabolical scheme, offering Faust untold
wealth, fame and the undying love of a beautiful princess. In the end, the temptation
proves too much for Faust and he agrees to the infernal contract...
Review
René Clair’s take on the Faustian myth is a characteristically tongue in cheek
rendition of the famous tale, reminiscent in style to his earlier American fantasy film,
I
Married a Witch (1942). Both films skilfully employ special effects and stark
chiaroscuro cinematography to convey the supernatural elements of the plot, but in a way that is
more comical than frightening. In common with much of Clair’s oeuvre,
the film works at many levels, containing some amusing topical references,
a few dark excursions into existentialist philosophy and an abundance
of humorous dry wit. On the down side, the film lacks the coherence
of Clair’s more substantial films and relies too heavily on the
personalities of its lead performers to hold it together.
With two iconic, highly talented performers of the calibre of Michel Simon and Gérard Philipe, the film can hardly go wrong. What an inspired idea that they should switch their roles (Faust and Mephistopheles) part-way through the film, and what an effective double act they make. For the most part, Philipe plays the conventional romantic hero, the kind of role for which he is best known. Far more interesting is his mischievous portrayal of the young Mephistopheles, which is just as sinister as it is amusing. Michel Simon’s Mephistopheles is no less enjoyable, an unashamedly over-the-top performance which allows the actor to indulge his penchant for pantomime. Interestingly, Clair’s initial motivation for making the film was to put right what he thought was a structural fault in the original Faust story. Whether he succeeded in that is a matter of personal judgement, but this is certainly an engaging and diabolically witty piece of cinema.
© James Travers 2002
Write a review for this film...
With two iconic, highly talented performers of the calibre of Michel Simon and Gérard Philipe, the film can hardly go wrong. What an inspired idea that they should switch their roles (Faust and Mephistopheles) part-way through the film, and what an effective double act they make. For the most part, Philipe plays the conventional romantic hero, the kind of role for which he is best known. Far more interesting is his mischievous portrayal of the young Mephistopheles, which is just as sinister as it is amusing. Michel Simon’s Mephistopheles is no less enjoyable, an unashamedly over-the-top performance which allows the actor to indulge his penchant for pantomime. Interestingly, Clair’s initial motivation for making the film was to put right what he thought was a structural fault in the original Faust story. Whether he succeeded in that is a matter of personal judgement, but this is certainly an engaging and diabolically witty piece of cinema.
© James Travers 2002
Write a review for this film...
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Useful links
- Best French films of 2011
- Best French films of the 2000s
- Best of the French New Wave
- Best of French film comedy
- The best 100 French films
- The most successful French films
- Great French filmmakers
Related links
- The best French comedy-dramas
- Other French films of the 1950s
- The best French films of the 1950s
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- Biography and films of René Clair
To buy this film
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Credits
- Director: René Clair
- Script: René Clair, Armand Salacrou
- Photo: Michel Kelber
- Music: Roman Vlad
- Cast: Michel Simon (Henri Faust / Mephistopheles), Gérard Philipe (Mephistopheles / Henri Faust), Nicole Besnard (Marguerite), Simone Valère (La Princesse), Carlo Ninchi (Le Prince), Raymond Cordy (Antoine), Tullio Carminati (Le Diplomate), Gaston Modot (Gypsy)
- Country: France / Italy
- Language: French
- Runtime: 96 min; B&W
- Aka: Beauty and the Beast; Beauty and the Devil; The Beauty of the Devil
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To buy La Beauté du diable:

Comedy / Drama / Fantasy


