“One of the most astonishing visual experiences the silent cinema has to offer”
DOORS: 18:15 | FILM STARTS 18:45
We’re returning to the stunning Gothic surroundings of St Mary Redcliffe in October as part of our Halloween season, for a special centenary screening of Faust. This visually stunning adaptation of the legendary tale was directed by F.W. Murnau, the genius behind Nosferatu, and Faust offers a similarly chilling exploration of morality, good versus evil, and the battle for one man’s soul. It’s a must-see for any film fan and a masterpiece of Expressionist cinema that still has the power to move and shock 100 years since its release.
This remarkable film will be accompanied by a live, entirely improvised organ recital by the award-winning composer Dr. David Bednall, blending silent cinema with live music to create a unique performance that promises to add another dimension to the experience; combined with the truly atmospheric setting of one of Bristol’s most iconic landmarks, it promises to be a night to remember.
About The Film
1926 | PG | 106 mins
As God and Satan battle for dominion of Earth, the demon Mephisto wagers with an Archangel that he can corrupt a righteous man’s soul. He focuses his efforts on the elderly alchemist Faust, who soon succumbs to temptation - but will Faust damn himself forever, and doom humanity in the process…?
Contains mild violence, sexual references, intense scenes
About The Location
The Church of St Mary the Virgin, widely known as St Mary Redcliffe, is the main Church of England parish church for the Redcliffe district of Bristol. The first reference to a church on the site appears in 1158,with the present building dating from 1185 to 1872. The church is considered one of the country's finest and largest parish churches as well as an outstanding example of English Gothic architecture. With a height of 274 feet (84 m) to the top of the weathervane, St Mary Redcliffe is the second-tallest structure in Bristol and the sixth-tallest parish church in the country.
St Mary Redcliffe hosts our silent cinema screenings, showing some of the greatest films from the early days of cinema accompanied by live musical performances to bring them to life once more.
About The Performance
David is recognized as one of the leading choral composers of his generation. He studied for a PhD in Composition with Prof. John Pickard at the University of Bristol and is signed to Oxford University Press. He has an extensive freelance career, as well as being Sub Organist at Bristol Cathedral. He studied with Dr. Naji Hakim & David Briggs and was Assistant Organist at Wells Cathedral.
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Getting Here
St Mary Redcliffe is located just off the main roundabout on Redcliffe Way, Bristol, BS1 6RA. The what3words reference for the main entrance is universally.lands.editor
There is no visitor parking available at the venue - the closest car park is the Pay and Display car park on Redcliffe Parade East.
St Mary Redcliffe is close to several City Centre bus routes, and is a short walk away from Bristol Temple Meads train station. For more information on public transport to the venue, click here.
Wherever possible, we encourage walking the use of public transport when travelling to our events.
Accessibility
Level access is available via the Church’s Southern entrance: a map detailing this can be found here. Please contact us in advance to arrange access via this entrance.
If you are attending an event as a carer for a disabled guest, then you are entitled to free access. Please select the relevant ticket and bring appropriate proof of eligibility such as proof of blue badge, access card, cinema for all card, letter from a professional or evidence of DLA/PIP. If you are uncertain, please contact us.
Please let us know if you require seating in a specific area (e.g. close to an exit).
This screening will be screened with surtitles, translating the German title cards. There is no film audio and the musical accompaniment will be via the church organ.
We want to make your visit as enjoyable as possible, so please do not hesitate to contact us if you require further information about this venue’s accessibility.
Venue & Event Information
Doors to the venue will open at 6:15PM (18:15) - we cannot guarantee access to the venue before this time, so recommend you arrive as close to this time as possible.
For this event, please enter the venue through the Church’s North Entrance - if you require level access through the Church’s South entrance, please contact us to let us know.
Please do not consume food or drink purchased off the premises during this event.
FAQs
Can I buy food/drink at the venue? Yes - we will be providing a range of drinks and confectionary snacks for purchase.
I have a BuyAGift/Red Letter Days/other voucher. How do I redeem this for this event? Head to this page for more information about redeeming Gift Vouchers.
Is my ticket refundable? As per our policy update on 14th January 2026, tickets will only be refundable if ticket insurance was added at the point of purchase. If you are a Red Carpet Club member, tickets are refundable up to 5 working days before your event, and exchangeable for credit for up to 24 hours before your event.