Edited with text by Laurent Mannoni. Text by Stefan Drössler, K.J. Relth-Miller.
An ambitious record of an astounding, recently unearthed artifact of film history: a visual diary dedicated to the making of Murnau's towering classic of silent cinema, Faust
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 Faust (1926), his final film shot in Germany before his relocation to Hollywood, he was given 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. Coinciding with the 100th anniversary of the release of this influential horror classic, The Faust Bible: The Making of F.W. Murnau’s Masterpiece is based on this stunning artifact 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.
STATUS: Forthcoming | 11/24/2026
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The Faust Bible The Making of F.W. Murnau's Masterpiece
Published by MUBI Editions. Edited with text by Laurent Mannoni. Text by Stefan Drössler, K.J. Relth-Miller.
An ambitious record of an astounding, recently unearthed artifact of film history: a visual diary dedicated to the making of Murnau's towering classic of silent cinema, Faust
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 Faust (1926), his final film shot in Germany before his relocation to Hollywood, he was given 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. Coinciding with the 100th anniversary of the release of this influential horror classic, The Faust Bible: The Making of F.W. Murnau’s Masterpiece is based on this stunning artifact 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.
