Weighed down with tedium and old-fashioned dialogue (using the verse's 'Old English' language) that worked on the written page but is misplaced on the screen.
Doctor Faustus (1968)
Tomatometer
How does the Tomatometer work ![]()
Reviews Counted: 4
Fresh: 1
Rotten:3
Average Rating: N/A
Runtime: 1 hr 33 mins
Genre: Horror/Suspense
Synopsis: In his thirst for knowledge and power, Dr. Faustus (Richard Burton) shuns science and turns to magic. He summons the devil's minion Mephistopheles and makes a deadly deal with the devil. In... In his thirst for knowledge and power, Dr. Faustus (Richard Burton) shuns science and turns to magic. He summons the devil's minion Mephistopheles and makes a deadly deal with the devil. In exchange for being "Great Emperor of the World," and having the beautiful Helen of Troy (Elizabeth Taylor) for his concubine, Faustus promises Mephistopheles his soul. However, the price of power proves too high for Faustus, as earthly pleasures become insignificant in contrast with the loss of his immortal spirit. After mounting a production of Christopher Marlowe's 16th century play "Doctor Faustus" for the stage, Burton embarked--with the help of Oxford University--on the weighty mission of putting Marlowe's immortal verse on film, and this was the result. Burton gives a typically strong performance in this curiosity full of strong, bizarre imagery. [More]
Starring: Richard Burton, Elizabeth Taylor, Hugh Williams, Ian Marter
Starring: Richard Burton, Elizabeth Taylor, Hugh Williams, Ian Marter, Andreas Teuber, Nevill Coghill
Director: Richard Burton, Nevill Coghill
Director: Richard Burton, Nevill Coghill
Screenwriter: Nevill Coghill
Get This Movie
Reviews for Doctor Faustus
The overall effect is like a cross between a garishly colored Hammer horror film and a textbook example of '60s hallucinogenic trendiness.
Doctor Faustus is a complete misfire on every single level, a failure the likes of which most supposedly bad movies can't even come close to.
Related Forums for Doctor Faustus
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
79% 79% |
Gran Torino |
30% 30% |
12 Rounds |
23% 23% |
Confessions of a Shopa… |
|
The Code |
39% 39% |
Inkheart |
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
22% 22% |
Push |
12% 12% |
The Unborn |
RT On Current TV
What’s Hot On RT
Other News
Sponsored Links
Around The Network
- Doctor Faustus at Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh Links
Featured

MSN's David Fear and Frank Paiva go head to head discussing the pros and cons of Bruno star Sacha Baron Cohen.

The AV Club's Scott Tobias takes a second look at David Lynch's cult classic, Lost Highway.

TIME takes us on a 25-year long journey into the superstar's career, giving us a look at his 10 best roles.

BuzzSugar reports on Paramount's plans to rebirth the iconic TV show as a comedy film.



Top Critic

