Mubi Editions is set to publish a exceptionally rare newly discovered artefact commemorating the centenary of F.W. Murnau’s iconic silent film “Faust”. The forthcoming book, “The Faust Bible: The Making of F.W. Murnau’s Masterpiece”, will be launched worldwide on 17 October in partnership with la Cinémathèque française. The publication unveils a visual diary containing approximately 400 images and original artwork capturing the production of the film, which was thought lost for decades and presumed destroyed during World War II. Originally assembled by crew members Robert Herlth, Carl Hoffmann, and Walter Röhrig as a gift to Murnau, the collection was carefully restored after its acquisition by the French institution in 2017, and is now being published in full for the first time.
A Hundred Years of Silent Cinema Excellence
F.W. Murnau’s “Faust” remains one of cinema’s most influential achievements, representing the apex of German expressionist cinema in the 1920s. First shown a century ago, the imaginative epic showcased groundbreaking visual narrative techniques that still engage audiences and influence contemporary filmmakers. The film’s elaborate production design, creative visual composition, and inventive costume design set new benchmarks for the silent film period, revealing the creative potential of cinema as a medium. Murnau’s daring artistic ambition adapted original literary works into a visually stunning spectacle that transcended traditional theatrical conventions.
The publication of “The Faust Bible” provides unprecedented insight into the meticulous craftsmanship behind this masterpiece. The book includes detailed storyboarding, costume sketches, and production stills that showcase the collective creative vision of the creative team behind Murnau. Under the direction of Laurent Mannoni, scientific director of heritage at la Cinémathèque française, the publication contains newly commissioned essays examining both the film’s production history and its lasting impact on modern cinema. Contributors such as Stefan Drössler and K.J. Relth-Miller provide authoritative examination of how “Faust” influenced subsequent generations of filmmakers and remains relevant with contemporary audiences globally.
- Approximately 400 photographs and original illustrations capturing the production process
- Elaborate costume designs and set design sketches included
- In-depth storyboarding revealing Murnau’s creative vision
- Pieces exploring production history and enduring cinematic impact
The Lost Repository Emerges
For decades, the crew documentation assembled by Murnau’s team members vanished into obscurity, believed to have been destroyed during the devastation of World War II. This extraordinary document—originally presented to the director in a prop Bible as a final gift before his departure from Germany to Hollywood—faded from public awareness, becoming little more than a footnote in cinema history. Film scholars and archivists had long mourned its loss, acknowledging the priceless records it would have provided into one of cinema’s most celebrated productions. The recovery of this material constitutes a major milestone in archival preservation, offering researchers and enthusiasts an unparalleled glimpse into Murnau’s filmmaking approach.
The emergence of “The Faust Bible” marks a pivotal turning point for cinematic scholarship and heritage conservation. La Cinémathèque française’s acquisition of the collection in 2017 commenced a painstaking restoration process that would eventually bring these delicate materials back to their original condition. The approximately 400 images and artwork, carefully assembled by set designers Robert Herlth and Walter Röhrig together with cinematographer Carl Hoffmann, had endured against considerable odds. This recovery demonstrates the ongoing importance of institutional vigilance in preserving film’s physical heritage, guaranteeing that subsequent audiences can access the tangible evidence of filmmaking’s greatest achievements.
Discovery and Restoration
The progression from loss to recovery spans almost a century of ambiguity. After Murnau’s migration to America in the mid-1920s, the production Bible’s location became progressively obscure, with most film historians believing it had been lost amid the chaos of wartime Germany. However, through careful investigation and fortuitous circumstance, the materials eventually surfaced, enabling la Cinémathèque française to acquire it for their prestigious archives. The institution recognised immediately the artistic and historical significance of the collection, understanding that their safekeeping would shed light on crucial aspects of “Faust’s” production methods and creative vision.
The restoration undertaken by la Cinémathèque française’s expert conservators required meticulous attention to detail, tackling decades of deterioration whilst preserving the integrity of the original documents. Each photograph and illustration was thoroughly inspected, restored, and catalogued digitally to guarantee accessibility for scholars worldwide. Laurent Mannoni, the institution’s scientific director of heritage, supervised this scholarly endeavour, contributing both technical expertise and contextual knowledge to the conservation process. This comprehensive conservation effort has transformed fragile and decaying materials into a durable archive suitable for research and publication, ensuring their preservation for forthcoming scholarship.
Within the Visual Diary
“The Faust Bible” offers unprecedented insight into Murnau’s creative process through its impressive assembly of production documentation. The roughly 400 images and artwork demonstrate the careful artistry behind one of cinema’s most visually ambitious works. Compiled by the film’s production designers and cinematographer, these materials highlight the elaborate costuming, towering set designs, and detailed visual planning that defined expressionist filmmaking in Germany. The visual diary documents nearly every phase of filmmaking, from initial conceptual sketches to finished set pieces, providing film scholars and enthusiasts with a comprehensive window into how Murnau and his team brought to life their fantastical vision on screen.
| Content Type | Significance |
|---|---|
| Production Photographs | Documents the construction of sets and costume design, revealing the technical and artistic decisions made during filming |
| Original Illustrations | Showcases conceptual artwork and design sketches that informed the film’s visual aesthetic and expressionist style |
| Storyboarding Materials | Provides detailed visual planning of scenes, demonstrating Murnau’s compositional approach and narrative structure |
| Set Design Documentation | Illustrates the lavish, otherworldly environments created through German expressionist architectural principles and techniques |
The book’s release constitutes a pivotal point for cinema studies, affording researchers immediate access to materials formerly available only to academic collections. Stefan Drössler, head of the Filmmuseum München, provides scholarly context concerning the film’s creative development, whilst K.J. Relth-Miller explores its lasting impact on contemporary cinema. Together with Mannoni’s detailed notes documenting the discovery and restoration process, these specialist insights transform the visual diary into a thorough academic reference that illuminates both historical production practices and artistic legacy.
Scholarly Achievements and International Recognition
The publication benefits from an impressive array of scholarly expertise that elevates it beyond a simple image repository. Laurent Mannoni, scientific director of collections at la Cinémathèque française, has assembled the collection and contributed a newly commissioned essay with comprehensive notes explaining the recovery and conservation process. His work contextualises the Bible within the wider context of film preservation, showing how institutional collaboration between Mubi and la Cinémathèque française has made possible this extraordinary retrieval of film heritage. The annotations offer essential understanding into how these items endured decades of risk of damage and neglect.
Extending Mannoni’s foundational scholarship, Stefan Drössler of the Filmmuseum München offers critical analysis of the film’s production history, whilst K.J. Relth-Miller from the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures explores Faust’s enduring impact on current film practice. This three-part collaboration confirms the publication caters to diverse readerships—from university researchers pursuing production materials to filmmakers and artists analysing expressionist methods. The varied viewpoints establish a multifaceted narrative that frames Murnau’s 1926 masterpiece not merely as a historical artefact but as a ongoing force on current cinematic language.
Autumn Events and Public Engagement
The October 17 worldwide launch date marks the 100th anniversary of Faust’s original premiere, making the publication’s release timing symbolically significant. Mubi Editions has coordinated the launch in collaboration with la Cinémathèque française, guaranteeing the book reaches global audiences simultaneously across multiple markets. This synchronised release strategy demonstrates the film’s enduring status as a pillar of world cinema, surpassing national boundaries and institutional boundaries to honour a truly universal artistic achievement.
Beyond the book’s publication, the centenary moment is anticipated to generate substantial public engagement and academic discussion. Film festivals, museums, and academic institutions are expected to organise retrospectives and symposia exploring Murnau’s legacy and German expressionism’s impact on cinema. The Faust Bible’s release offers a concrete focal point for these commemorations, offering both general enthusiasts and serious scholars unparalleled access to archival materials that illuminate one of cinema’s most visually impressive and thematically complex works.