Mephisto and the Maiden (1909) User Reviews

The best possible use has been made of the material

[deickemeyer · 31 August 2014]

An ambitious production by the Selig Polyscope Company which reproduces in a condensed form Goethe's Faust. Everyone knows the story of Faust, how the monk sells his soul to the devil for one day of youth and love. The story is followed with considerable fidelity to the original text and the seduction of Marguerite is accomplished in a very delicate way. Perhaps the strongest scene is where the devil informs the youth that his time is up and that he must go back to his years. The youth's pleadings are very well done. The change is made according to contract and the film closes with the reunion of the lovers, Marguerite going back to her lover before the interposition of Faust. The technical quality of the film is excellent. The tinting in places is just sufficient to emphasize its beauties. The acting is all that could be asked in a picture of this sort. It is difficult to reproduce these familiar old classics. Those who have seen them acted are often impatient at the shortening made necessary by the limitations of the motion picture, while those who have never seen them acted and haven't read them seldom understand what they mean. If a film manufacturer successfully reproduces one of these pictures he is to be congratulated, and in this instance the best possible use has been made of the material. The effect cannot be too highly commended. - The Moving Picture World, May 8, 1909