Murnau’s classic silent film ‘Faust’, about a medieval pact with the devil, angry villagers and sticky ends, was a pioneer of big screen horror. Ninety years later there’s little that can shock us, but in 1926 this was nastily new. Modern Robot’s live drum and electric guitar accompaniment helped me view the often told story anew, by introducing an unexpected harmonic rock element.
The sensitively played music softened the story, directing our attention to the very ordinary human frailty highlighted by the actors and effects, without sensationalism or discordant surprises. My overall impression, however, was that this is more a film buff’s night out than a music-lover’s because, inevitably, the film’s the star.