Marlowe: Dr Faustus (Globe August 2011) (Charlotte Broom/ Michael Camp/ Matthew Dunster) [Globe on Screen] [DVD] [2013] [NTSC]

From time to time the Globe releases its plays in cinemas. It publicises them badly (I caught this totally by chance), but if you live an inconvenient distance from The Globe, look out for Globe on Screen releases.Though far from an expert, I am at least conversant with most of Shakepeare's plays. This, however was (to my shame) my first ever exposure to Marlowe. It was a revelation. Of course, the basic plot is universally-known. The eminent scholar Faustus is bored by all he has achieved and wants more - and so sells his soul to the devil in return for 24 years of enhanced life, with Mephistopheles as his devoted attendant. What matters is what Marlowe does with this premise. For my money, he does far more than Goethe.Better get Mephistopheles out of the way first, since (as a publicity ploy?) he is played by Arthur "Doctor Who" Darvill. The biggest compliment I can pay here is that after ten minutes I stopped thinking of him as Rory. He actually gave a wonderfully restrained performance, subtly portraying the tormented nature of one who has unlimited temporal power, but is shut off from any higher plane.Faustus himself is a complex and ambiguous character - which is as it should be. Each viewer has to make their own mind up as to how much (if at all) they sympathise with Faustus. Contradictory views can both be completely correct; and this production avoids the trap of coming down too heavily on one side or the other.This is a very busy production. Those responsible for costume, make-up and (particularly) props must have been on danger-money. There's a lot of stage trickery as well. Faustus is beheaded and comes back to life on stage; and though intellectually you can see how it was done, it's still a wonderful illusion. On the down side, some of the stage make-up doesn't stand up too well to cinematic close-up. One character's beard seemed to be held on by sellotape.As with all Globe productions, the comic scenes are played for all they're worth (anyone who says that Shakespeare invented comic relief simply hasn't seen Marlowe); but I was a little lost during the Pope/Antipope scenes (presumably Marlowe expected his audiences to get the reference to an event which was topical 400 years ago).The Globe is a National Treasure. These DVDs are compulsive viewing, and should also be compulsory.

So often one watches historical plays adapted for the screen and ends up disappointed. Whether it be Shakespeare or Sheridan, Goldsmith or Marlowe, their work was written for the stage, and it is at a live stage performance that their work can be best appreciated. However, not everyone can regularly attend a first rate theatre, but a well done and sympathetic recording of a stage production can be the next best thing. And this is a very well done and sympathetic recording, which brings Marlowe's most famous play to the screen in (as far as I can tell) original and unadulterated form. How much finer a production like this is than, for example, the messed up Shakespeare we've had in some recent TV and film "adaptations". Full marks to a fine, energetic cast and everyone else for a most enjoyable and satisfying evening's entertainment.

I brought this as I was struggling with the text for my OU course. I did not like the play and then I put the DVD on. It is brilliantly staged, the actors are great, just look at the cast list! Most of all it is fun, funny and entertaining. I loved the clowns, the asides, the descent to hell. I feel that it was produced in a way that was true to the spirit of Marlow. Literally blown away by this performance. So happy.

Fantastic interpretation of Doctor Faustus. Great assist in my studies of the book. RSC have nailed this performance. Very enjoyable

Great play performed well - am studying this for Open University. Interesting seeing it performed in the classic way. Really enjoyed it although it does vary slightly from the formal text in places, and a few ad libs too!!

History degree hated it .....sorry.

I am doing an OU course where we have audio of some sections of the play. It was great to see a performance, it really helped get to grips with the text. I found it interesting so see the changes that the production made when they realised play. Very worthwhile.

An excellent production which both reflects the original stage conditions and updates many ideas. Highly recommended