Even though the film is mostly silent, it's hard to take your eyes off the screen. Svankmejer is almost never predictable, and the surrealism and magic realism he infuses the film with keeps you constantly guessing what's coming next, and usually finding yourself unable to do so correctly. Much of it reminds me of "Alice in Wonderland"---you are transported into a parallel universe where all sorts of bizarre inexplicable things keep happening, it all makes no sense yet it does make sense. Of course, Svankmejer's famoust clay-mation plays a HUGE part in creating this surreal otherworld (he did the clay-mation for a couple of Peter Gabriel's videos, most famously "Sledgehamer"). After a while you simply give up and just sit back and just EXPERIENCE the film without trying to put it into any sort of predictable logical structure---which is exactly how you later start to see one emerging.

Truly, cinematic artistry of the highest order.

trip for two,please! (Rating: 5.00)
Review : this movie is perfect for a big dube on a cold -20 winter night!strangely enough,I thought the "depth and pace"of this film were kind of like the big lebowski or the last tv episode of twin peaks!and as the green burns down,you'll find that you may have opened a virtual treasure chest of trippiness for all your buddies to behold!buy this movie just for the trippy factor alone.

jan's best! (Rating: 5.00)
Review : I have yet to see jan's "lil otik" but out of all his others "faust" is by far the best of his vivid,imaginative works.new fans will want to see "alice"(his stop-motion take on alice in wonderland)first to get a real feel for his stuff.then buy "faust" if you like alice.the story is actually based off of a play,and includes live actors,string puppets,claymation,and such awesome scenery!fans of david lynch's "eraserhead" should not miss this.

Brilliant Avante Garde portrayal of Chris Marlowe's Faust (Rating: 4.00)
Review : I have fond memories of this film in my ealier adult years, being very ripped on 'mood altering substances' and having a good ole kick back and watch of this film! It really used to bend my head! These days although making more sense in regards to a linear plot, I was somewhat dissapointed with the fact that this DVD does not offer the film in it's orginal language (Czech). Having seen the film in it's original language with English subtitles, I must say that the poorly dubbed voices, although bearing close resemblance to the original film do not give it the ambience it remember, however I'm sure than anyone watching this film for the first time in this dubbed format will throughly enjoy it!
Definately one to kick back with a Philly and a Guiness and enjoy!

A fantasy to dream with again and again. (Rating: 5.00)
Review : Wonderful blend of real-time and stop-motion storytelling by a master of the surreal. An apparently ordinary everyman is led by curiousity into a dilapidated building which turns out to be a strange cross of theatre, a puppeteer's workshop, and an alchemical laboratory. Suddenly, he finds himself becoming the legendary character Dr. Faust, selling his soul to the devil to gain magical powers.
Jan Svankmajer is the real sorcerer here and blends stage sets with real settings, seven foot puppets with live actors, and makes magic of it all.
The film has been dubbed for English audiences, but I have never seen a less obtrusive film dub. The voice performances are excellent and actually add to the surreal quality of the film.
Just one caution: This is not a "family" film. There is some adult material, so don't confuse this with Bass and Rankin style claymation.