1926. Director: F. W. Murnau. Runtime: 107min.

What deal is worth your soul?

A cosmic wager between the cunning devil Mephisto (Emil Jannings) and an archangel sees a medieval city engulfed by plague, anguish and fog. Provoked by the surrounding suffering, the ageing scholar Faust (Gösta Ekman) strikes a bargain: his soul in exchange for the city's salvation and the gift of eternal youth. But every pact has its price, and Faust's dodgy dealings soon give way to hijinks, temptation, and tragedy.

Regarded as one of the pinnacles of German Expressionist cinema, Faust was the final German production of F. W. Murnau (Nosferatu; Sunrise). Drawing on centuries of enduring folk tale, Murnau transforms the metaphysical morality tale of Faust into an atmospheric drama, where shadows loom and supernatural spectacles inspire awe.

Confession box:

Murnau’s Faust made a deal with the devil to save a city. The Fausts of folklore bargained for power, fortune, and non-earthly knowledge. But what would tempt you to sign away your soul? Eternal youth? A four-day working week? Or perhaps HippFest’s Taste of Silence Special Multi-Ticket Deal?

Share your anonymous answers in out Confession Box before the screening! We’ll reveal a selection of your most devilish wagers before the lights go down.

Cafe/Bar: the Hippodrome Bar will be open from 18:30 serving themed cocktails.

Dir. F. W. Murnau | Germany | 1926 | PG | b&w | German intertitles with English surtitles | 1h 47m + intro (captioned)
With: Gösta Ekman, Emil Jannings, Camilla Horn, William Dieterle, Frida Richard
Original title: Faust – Eine deutsche Volkssage
Performing live: Jane Gardner (piano) and Hazel Morrison (percussion)
Screening material courtesy of the Friedrich-Wilhelm-Murnau-Stiftung in Wiesbaden

Shuttle bus available! Book a return ticket from Linlithgow Station to the Hippodrome.

Multi-screening deal: book any two films for £20! Discount applied at check out.