Der Pakt mit dem Teufel

long time, for me it was the result of an unique meet - Rene Clair, Michel Simon and Gerard Philippe. then, it seems be one of the most elegant adaptations of the legend of Doctor Faust. not the last, a seductive work of Gerard Philippe who, more than an admirable performance, has the splendid gift to give to us the pure, honest, vulnerable, fresh and touching spirit of youth. it is a film who seems be so simple... . a fairy tale, or parable, well known before you see it. but, in essence, it remains a revelation. like an open window in the early morning of summer.

The Faust story has been adapted innumerable times. I have seen three adaptations: "Faust" (1926, Friedrich Wilhelm Murnau), "All that money can buy" (1941, William Dieterle) and this one of 1950 by Rene Clair.

It is interesting to see how different directors give a different interpretation to the story, maybe under influence of their national culture. The American production of Dieterle for example is by far the most materialistic interpretation, as the title already indicates. The European interpretations are more about non materialistic values as scientific curiosity and love (with the accent changing from the former to the latter when the wish of Faust for eternal youth has been granted by the Devil). Within the European interpretations the German one of Faust is much more pessimistic then the French one of Clair.

Not only the Faust character gives rise to different interpretations but also the Devil / Mephistopheles character. In "Le beaute du Diable" Michel Simon plays a sort of funny apprentice Devil, just like Henry Travers plays an apprentice angel in "It's a wonderful life" (1946, Frank Capra)

Technically very well-made, with excellent performances by Michel Simon and Gérard Philippe- the rest of the cast is pretty forgettable. But somehow it sags in the middle and it all seems rather superficial and distant. You don't engage with the characters. The dialogue is too literary for modern tastes and the court scenes with their dances and music just fill up time. Smooth entertainment but it could have been much more gripping. I find Clair's next film, also with Gérard Philippe, funnier and better constructed.

Though I'm french, I am not a fan of french movies which I usually find boring or too intellectual ( in a pejorative way ).

This being said, I've always liked this movie, greatly because of the incredible performance of Michel Simon, undoubtedly one of the greatest french actors ever. His portrayal of Mephistopheles is delightful in every way. He leaves but little place to the other actors ( mostly Gerard Philippe the avatar of the romantic actor, playing young Faust having sold his soul to the devil ).

In an era where special effects where about non existent, Rene Clair managed to make a really witty comedy about the meaning of life.

Astonishing to see how certain movies, no matter how old they are, remain entertaining. This is definitely one of them.

A must see ! Should you like it, try Belles de Jour from Rene Clair too, another witty romantic old times french comedy. You'll be pleased.

At the time I am writing this, IMDB has the title of this film rather confusingly translated as "Beauty And The Beast" - which is, of course, a whole other kettle of myth altogether.

"The Beauty Of The Devil", on the other hand, is a thoroughly sumptuous retelling of the Faust legend, told with unusual verve, and of course a flawless performance by Michel Simon (was he ever bad in anything?)

There is great atmosphere, delightfully fairytale-like sets, and first rate photography - far better than the flat cheapness of most other French films of the 1950s - all thankfully in an excellently preserved print.

The preternaturally beautiful Gerard Philipe, as Mephistopheles, also turns in a fine performance, throwing in just enough subtle traces of the rheumatic Simon to make us believe the older Faust is wearing his body. Nicole Besnard, as the gypsy maiden who takes him in, and Simone Valère, as her princess rival, both see his good looks and raise him some extra gorgeousness.

This is the most fun and romantic take on Faust I think I have seen, a parable of life and love and failure and regret. Yes, it could have been more frightening and dramatic and devilish, but then it would also have lost a lot of its charm. As it is, it's a worthy companion to Rene Clair's earlier english language movies 'I Married A Witch' and 'And Then There Were None', with a discernibly similar texture and touch, an atmosphere of fantasy, and every frame a painting in itself.