The Faust Bible: The Making of F.W. Murnau’s Masterpiece brings to light an astounding, recently-unearthed artefact of film history: a visual diary dedicated to the making of a towering classic of silent cinema. This new book stunningly recreates, in full, a collection of set photography, original illustrations, and behind the scenes images carefully compiled by the film’s set designer inside a prop Bible on the set of Faust (1926). Published in association with the Cinémathèque Française, The Faust Bible offers an unparalleled window into the making of F.W. Murnau’s marvel of German Expressionist cinema. One of the most influential and pioneering silent-era filmmakers, F.W. Murnau was known for his private film sets, reluctant to share the secrets of his mastery of light and shadow. But for this final film shot in Germany before his relocation to Hollywood, he was gifted a remarkable memento from the production—a collection of photographs and illustrations documenting the making of the film almost step by step, inside a prop Bible. Compiled by the film’s set designer Robert Herlth, the astounding visual diary housed approximately 400 original images. The Faust Bible recreates, in full, this stunning artefact of film history. Through a vast array of stills and sketches, the audacious skill at the heart of Murnau’s production—innovative practical effects, lavish costuming and set design, detailed storyboarding— is showcased, bringing the film to life on the printed page.
