F.W. Murnau’s Faust is the zenith of German Expressionist craftsmanship. It treats the screen like a moving canvas, utilizing intricate miniatures and revolutionary lighting to depict the battle between light and darkness. The image of Mephisto’s cloak enveloping the town is iconic. It showcased the full technical might of the UFA studio, creating a complete, fantastical world entirely indoors. Visually overwhelming and operatic, it influenced Fantasia and the entire fantasy genre, serving as a breathtaking farewell to the silent era’s ability to conjure magic.