Matthew Chenevert: Dr Faustus: Analysis Prod v Text

Dr Faustus: Analysis Production vs Text

Well I really enjoyed the video of this play. This was like watch a real movie to me. The play was MUCH better than I had envisioned it in my head. I think one of the reasons it was so good came when the final credits rolled…. Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor! While I couldn’t name another movie that these people were in I know they were major actors of their day.

I’m having some trouble on picking a scene this week so I will just pick the first part of the play. It opens and what caught my eye was the crucifix with Jesus hanging on the cross right in Faustus’ very room. He even speaks to it. What manner of man would go from having such a prominent religious symbol in his very study to making a pact with the a demon? Quite a swing.

Valdez and Cornelius looked very evil. I had pictured the setting where he attempts to call forth Mephistopheles to be in his study, but in the video they bring him to a cave of some sort. A foreboding cave at that.

I also noted that Faustus got younger looking after his deal was made. I also like the way they used an hour glass to keep track of Faustus’ time left before the 24 years ran out. At the end when he was being dragged off I think Lucifer was a woman. I hadn’t pictured any of those things in my head when I read the play.
Lastly the look on Mephistopheles face as Faustus was dragged off almost had an “I feel sorry” expression… very interesting.