La bellezza del diavolo

One of my sci-fi/horror/fantasy reviews written 50 years ago: Directed by Rene Clair; Produced by Salvo D'Angelo. A French-Italian co-production, released in America by Arthur Davis Associates. Screenplay by Rene Clair and Armand Salacrou; Photography by Michel Kelber; Camera by Gianni Di Venanzo; Edited by James Cuenet; Music by Roman Vlad; Assistant Director: Michel Boisrond. Starring: Michel Simon, Gerard Philipe, Simone Valere, Nicole Besnard, Carlo Ninchi, Raymond Cordy, Paolo Stoppa

Brilliant Clair revamping of the Faust myth, with Simon excelling as the Devil and Gerard the perfect romantic hero. Clair utilizes excellent special effects and ingeniously stylish gags in this ironic tale. Voluptuous Simone Valere not only delivers some white nightgown action, but also flashes some well-revealed supersize jugs.

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.

After fifty years of service to the University and science without enjoying the pleasures of life, Professor Henri Faust (Michel Simon) is visited by the servant of Lucifer, Mephistopheles (Gérard Philipe), who offers youth and a new life to him.

Professor Faust switches body with Mephistopheles and the young Henri meets the gypsy girl Marguerite (Nicole Besnard), but he is accused of killing Professor Faust and is arrested. Mephistopheles tries to force Henri to sign a contract to give his soul to Lucifer. Henri refuses and Mephistopheles schemes an evil plot, bringing Henri to the court to become successful, transforming sand into gold and becoming the lover of the Princess (Simone Valère). When Henri is dumped to the poverty again, he is lured by Mephistopheles and accepts to sign the contract. Will Lucifer win the battle against the integrity of Henri and the love of Marguerite with him?

"La Beauté du Diable" is a delightful adaptation of the German legend of Faust. The witty screenplay of René Clair and Armand Salacrou is wonderful and Michel Simon "steals" the film in the role of the wicked Mephistopheles in very funny situations. My vote is eight.

Title (Brazil): "A Beleza do Diabo" ("The Beauty of the Devil")

Note: On 11 April 2024, I saw this film again.

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.