Richard Burton stars as the centuries-old Christopher Marlowe character, Doctor Faustus, who sells his soul to Lucifer (David McIntosh) in return for 24 years of youth and pleasure.
The lustful and arrogant Faust indulges his earthly appetites, sees the seven deadly sins, performs magic for the emperor (Ian Marter), and has farting-related fun whilst invisible at the expense of the Pope (Adrian Benjamin).
He is assisted throughout by the devil’s right-hand man, Mephistopheles (Andreas Teuber) before eventually being dragged down to hell at the hour of reckoning.
Burton acts with force and speaks the lines with sonorous dignity and sense. A busty Elizabeth Taylor – mute throughout – appears as Helen of Troy, the continuous source of Faust’s lust and fantasy.
The talented supporting players from the Oxford University Dramatic Society are adequate but the film is something of an oddity with the atmosphere, music, and colours combining in a hallucinogenic mix.
Doctor Faustus
Richard Burton Helen of Troy
Elizabeth Taylor Mephistopheles
Andreas Teuber Valdes
Ram Chopra Cornelius
Richard Carwardine Wagner
Patrick Barwise Good Angel/Bishop
Michael Menaugh Evil Angel/Knight
Richard Durden-Smith Lucifer
David McIntosh Belzebub
Jeremy Eccles Lechery
Gwydion Thomas Pride/Emperor
Ian Marter Envy/Cardinal of Lorraine
Nicholas Loukes Pope
Adrian Benjamin Empress
Elizabeth O’Donovan Avarice
Ambrose Coghill
The lustful and arrogant Faust indulges his earthly appetites, sees the seven deadly sins, performs magic for the emperor (Ian Marter), and has farting-related fun whilst invisible at the expense of the Pope (Adrian Benjamin).
