Faust (1998)

The story takes place in a town in Germany ravaged by the Franco-Prussian war. On the eve of a decisive battle, the aging Faust searches fruitlessly for the meaning of life. Cursing God and calling on Satan to aid him, he resolves to poison himself. Mephistopheles appears and promises him a year and a day of regained youth in exchange for his soul. Tempted by a vision of Marguerite, Faust makes a blood pact with the devil and is transformed.

The young men celebrate their last night at home before going to war. Valentin entrusts his sister Marguerite to the care of Siebel while he is away. Wagner attempts a comic song but Mephistopheles interrupts, he predicts that both Wagner and Valentin will die – the former in battle, the latter at the hands of someone he loves. Valentin challenges Mephistopheles when he toasts Marquerite, but swords prove useless against the devil, who an arranges a meeting between Faust and Marguerite during the ensuing revelry.

A few days later, Marguerite returns home, preoccupied with thoughts of the young stranger who has been pursuing her. On her doorstep she finds a bouquet left for her by Siebel and a casket of jewels left by Mephistopheles as a gift from Faust. As intended, she is captivated by the jewels. Her friend Marthe urges her to accept them. Mephistopheles appears as a priest to console Marthe for her husband’s absence, and distracts her so that the field is clear for Faust to seduce Marguerite.

A year later, Faust has deserted the impoverished Marguerite; she still dreams of him, while shielding her baby from the taunts of the neighbors. When they hear the song of the returning army, Marguerite makes Siebel promise to tell Valentin nothing of Faust. Later that night Mephistopheles serenades Marguerite by proxy. Valentin challenges his sister’s seducer to a duel and is mortally wounded. As he dies, he curses his sister. Marguerite prays for Valentin’s soul in the cathedral where the devil answers her with terrible visions. Driven to madness, she accidentally stifles the baby and is thrown into prison. Faust’s time is running out, but Mephistopheles grants him a moment to try to rescue Marguerite from her punishment. Death and sacrifice provide salvation for both their
souls and the devil is defeated.