Under Project Lumiére subvention, the Filmoteca Espanhola assumed the project for restoring the classic Faust by F. W. Murnau, effected in 1926. Much to the surprise of those involved in research, five versions were found of the masterpiece that were completely different one from the other.

     Murnau filmed the movie using two cameras to produce more scenes for mounting. He himself edited two different versions: one to be exhibited in Germany, another in the United States. In addition , he separated and cataloged material for at least three other versions. Murnau's Five Fausts compares scenes from five films, rendering possible a winderange study of the techniques utilized by the director.