Devil and Daniel Webster, The

USA 1941, 106 minutes
Dir. William Dieterle
English
Rating: [PG]
Genres: Classics, Drama / Deviltry, Fantasy

Topics: Gothic.

Feat. Edward Arnold, Walter Huston, James Craig, Simone Simon, H.B. Warner

Aroview: Originally released in a heavily edited version as "All That Money Can Buy", this recently restored version can now be fully appreciated as a true American classic.

Adapted from a short story by revered author Stephen Vincent Benet, it imaginatively tells the story of a struggling, simple farmer (Craig) who becomes corrupted by a mythical character known as "Mr. Scratch" (Huston). When the pre-eminent legal mind of politician Daniel Webster (Arnold) is called upon to negotiate him out of the sticky deal, this becomes a Faustian myth for the American Constitution. Superbly directed and performed, with an exciting score by the great Bernard Herrmann a bonus.

Member Reviews

Average rating (Good Enough). Showing 1-2 of 2 member reviews.

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3 stars (Good Enough) ~normfilmbuff
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3 stars (Good Enough) It is based on a timeless tale. The casting of Arnold and Huston, in particular, ensures it can't fail. ~Tubbs

DVD Features

Extras include radio play versions of The Devil and Daniel Webster and Daniel Webster and the Sea Serpent, and an audio reading of the original Stephen Vincent Benet short story.