Faust (Lekce Faust)

Present a film by Jan Švankmajer

FAUST

Petr Čepek in the leading role

Cinematography

Production

Written and directed by

Hello, I can't find the marked spot...

Though I've explored philosophy, as well as medicine and law,

applied my efforts to theology,

yet here I stand, a foolish bore,

no wiser than I was before.

With neither property nor fame,

I am a man without a name.

A dog would not accept this role,

so to magic I'll devote my soul.

Faustus, Faustus,

leave behind this black magic!

Return your thoughts to theology!

Rest contented with the world.

If you live by the commandments of the Lord,

yours will be a heavenly reward.

Faustus, Faustus, leave behind theology!

Embrace instead black magic, the art of demonology.

Then to you will kings seem poor:

above them will your power soar.

Your Honour,

pardon my intrusion here,

but two friends of yours,

Cornelius and Valdes,

have just appeared, with news of great import, I fear!

I take my leave!

O foul-smelling life, nothing but the truth I speak.

Here we have a scholar famed for his knowledge and his wisdom.

His name is Dr. Faustus.

Wherever he goes, he keeps his nose buried in some weighty tome.

If I could only press a bit of sense into my silly head.

Hurray! Here's a book already open. I'll have a look.

Ego christian, ego istin...

I don't get a word of this. Let's see what else there is.

Here's a bit in the Czech tongue!

You can make old grannies young!

Into a large cauldron throw a pounded bat with alder leaves,

onion, a bit of caraway seed, berries as you need,

handful of nettles, bring rest harrow and the mixture to a boil...

In just a twinkle... how uncanny! Not a wrinkle left on granny!

It's too much for my feeble wit. I'll sit on it.

What my head can't comprehend, may well go in the other end.

You impudent rogue,

how dare you

sit upon this precious book?

Sefe cistin ego istin prima legura iuri.

- What's that you say? - I don't know myself. It's Latin.

Get down from there, before my master comes.

Goggle-eyed and blind. He could break my head or my behind!

You're a witty fellow.

Would you like to serve my master?

Why not? If you give me food and pay,

and a new suit, without delay, ask nothing in return, I'll play.

If you want to serve him, follow me.

I, Johannes Faust, do call upon thee, Mephistopheles!

Ivelum, Auiavitis Sammas Restascias.

Oh Adonai, Oh Jehovah...

Jesus, through the power of Thy Father be bound.

Mephistopheles, break free from thy fetters!

Mephistopheles!

Mephistopheles...

Now, Faustus, what wouldst thou have me do?

I charge thee wait upon me whilst I live,

to do whatever Faustus shall command.

Be it to make the moon drop from her sphere,

or the ocean to overwhelm the world.

I am only a servant to great Lucifer

and may not follow thee without his leave.

No more than he commands must we perform.

Did not he charge thee to appear to me?

No. I come here of my own accord.

Did not my conjuring speeches raise you? Speak!

That was the cause, but per accidents.

When we hear one blaspheme almighty God,

abjure the Scripture and his saviour Christ,

we fly, to claim his glorious soul.

But leave these vain trifles of men's souls.

Tell me what is that Lucifer, your Lord?

Arch-regent and commander of all spirits.

Was not that Lucifer an Angel once?

Yes, Faustus, and most dearly loved of God.

How comes it then that he be Prince of Devils?

By pride and insolence,

for which God threw him from Heaven.

And what are you, that live with Lucifer?

Unhappy spirits that with Lucifer conspired against God,

and are forever damned with him.

- Where are you damned? - In Hell.

How comes it, then that thou art out of Hell?

Why, this is Hell, nor am I out of it.

Thinks thou that I, who saw the face of God

and tasted the eternal joys of Heaven,

am not tormented with ten thousand hells,

in being deprived of everlasting bliss?

Go bear these tidings to great Lucifer.

I surrender him my soul.

And he shall spare me four and twenty years

letting me live in all voluptuousness,

having thee ever to attend on me,

to give me whatever I shall ask.

I will.

I read in one of Faust's books

that in this place one can catch birds without glue.

A special place, a single word... that's all you need!

Here is something that might suit me.

Is this the place? Indeed, it is!

And here's the word to catch the bird.

All you need to say is Pilookay!

Jester, why do you use this spell

to summon us from the peace of Hell?

I was only catching birds!

Come out of there!

No, you come here!

There I mustn't venture!

Nor will I venture out!

If you do, I'll tear you to shreds!

How clever to reveal your plot! Now I won't go anywhere!

Won't you stop that growling noise?

Padlookay!

Pilookay!

Pilookay!

What a fine lot you are!

Maybe I forgot to say...

Here it is! Padlookay!

I confused them! Padlookay, I should've said, not Pilookay!

What, you again? Hold on, I'll make you sweat: Padlookay!

Pilookay!

Padlookay...

Jester, enough!

I can't bear it anymore!

Padlookay!

I'll run away before he catches his breath.

What says Lucifer, thy Lord?

I shall wait on Faustus while he lives.

And he will buy my service with his soul.

But thou must write a deed of gift

with thine own blood.

For that security craves great Lucifer.

If thou deny it I must back to Hell.

Stay, Mephistopheles!

Aye, Mephistopheles, I give it thee.

Mephisto, how strange, I've lost my quill.

How careless of you, or have you lost your will?

Quickly, choose another one.

How strange, again my quill is gone.

Faustus, you are careless still.

Quickly, choose another quill.