Rating: 
Summary: A great evening's entertainment
Review: Many of the above reviews concern the film itself - I have nothing to add, really about the picture. Of course it's a classic, and tremendous fun to watch. The mixture of wit, gentle sentimentality, and goosepimples has never been matched. I just thought some of you might be curious about the new disc, which I took a look at last night. I didn't view the film with commentary because I find Bruce Eder to be one of the most annoying critics of all time (listen to a minute or two of his commentary for the Criterion "Lady Vanishes" and I think you may agree with me). The interactive essay on Herrmann's astonishing score is a must, as is Alec Baldwin's reading of the original Benet story. This delightful performance makes the perfect curtain raiser for the film, and allows you to get an idea of how fine an adaptation the film really is - the kind of fable that the story is may in fact be the trickiest kind of story to adapt for the screen. Now - the heart of the matter: the transfer, and the issues involved. I fully expect that people will carp about the quality of image and sound on this release,
and they will be justified in so doing, but they should be informed as to why Criterion's source material is less than ideal. The transfer itself is fine. The trouble is that a complete negative of the 1941 release version is, I believe, no longer extant. For a complete version, they have thus had to generate dupe negative from prints for much of it. Every kind of film artifact we have been spoiled into no longer expecting is present: emulsion scratches, scratches on the negative being printed positive, splices, reel change marks, and heavy, heavy optical hiss and crackle (which unfortunately muffles the dialogue at times, and renders many of the softer passages of the score almost inaudible.) A shame, because this is the same sound department, lab, and effects department out of which "Citizen Kane" came the same year. The effects, sound, trick work - hell, everything - in Dieterle's film is just as strikingly imaginative as in Welles', and it is a shame that we cannot see the quality of the work under optimal conditions, as we now can with the Warner disc of "Kane". However, this state of affairs is in no way due to Criterion, but whichever bozo hacked up the negative for the 1952 theatrical re-release. (Whomever that person is, I am sure they are now resting uncomfortably in Mr. Scratch's collection box). By no means miss
this film, however, despite my caveat emptor: it is one of the most enjoyable ever made.
Rating: 
Summary: BEWARE, OLD SCRATCH IS BACK
Review: Sell your soul to the devil and then get the world's greatest Yankee lawyer, statesman and orator to break the deal in front of a jury composed of traitors, cut-throats and evil-doers from America's past. Almost forgotten, THE DEVIL AND DANIEL WEBSTER (Criterion), based on Stephen Vincent Benet's famous short story, still grips with relevance and wit. Walter Huston is memorably subdolous as "Old Scratch." The transfer is restored and the disc is packed with extras. A great family film.
Rating:
Summary: The Devil No Match for an American Politician
Review: This film could never work now, because Americans are far too cynical to accept a politician beating the Devil in a battle of morals. Now the politician would be in the Devil's hip pocket."The Devil and Daniel Webster" is a creepy, effective little morality tale about a farmer who sells his soul to the devil in exchange for prosperity and the politician who ends up defending him and winning it back. What seemed startling in 1941 feels mostly creaky by today's standards, but there are still some fresh moments of film making in this one. William Dieterle was obviously open to experimentation when it comes to the use of cinematography and sound, and the movie has a striking visual look. The plot is mostly connect the dots, and there are no real surprises, but I don't know that one watches a morality tale for surprises in the first place. Walter Huston is extremely creepy as the Devil (aka Mr. Scratch). He received a Best Actor Academy Award nomination for his performance even though, based on sheer screen time, he really has more of a supporting role. But he's so effective when on screen that his presence dominates the film even when he's physically absent, which probably accounts for the lead nomination. Edward Arnold is pretty good too as Daniel Webster. Also standing out is Jane Darwell (Ma Joad in "The Grapes of Wrath") as a hardened farm mother. Parts of this film have a wicked sense of humour, which I thoroughly enjoyed. The trial at the end (with a literal jury of the damned), is especially amusing. On a sidenote, the film was successful in capturing the 1941 Academy Award for Best Dramatic Score. Don't expect to see any points made that haven't already been made a thousand times in a thousand other movies, but enjoy the originality of the film technique on display. Grade: A-
Rating:
Summary: The Devil No Match for an American Politician
Review: This film could never work now, because Americans are far too cynical to accept a politician beating the Devil in a battle of morals. Now the politician would be in the Devil's hip pocket. "The Devil and Daniel Webster" is a creepy, effective little morality tale about a farmer who sells his soul to the devil in exchange for prosperity and the politician who ends up defending him and winning it back. What seemed startling in 1941 feels mostly creaky by today's standards, but there are still some fresh moments of film making in this one. William Dieterle was obviously open to experimentation when it comes to the use of cinematography and sound, and the movie has a striking visual look. The plot is mostly connect the dots, and there are no real surprises, but I don't know that one watches a morality tale for surprises in the first place. Walter Huston is extremely creepy as the Devil (aka Mr. Scratch). He received a Best Actor Academy Award nomination for his performance even though, based on sheer screen time, he really has more of a supporting role. But he's so effective when on screen that his presence dominates the film even when he's physically absent, which probably accounts for the lead nomination. Edward Arnold is pretty good too as Daniel Webster. Also standing out is Jane Darwell (Ma Joad in "The Grapes of Wrath") as a hardened farm mother. Parts of this film have a wicked sense of humour, which I thoroughly enjoyed. The trial at the end (with a literal jury of the damned), is especially amusing. On a sidenote, the film was successful in capturing the 1941 Academy Award for Best Dramatic Score. Don't expect to see any points made that haven't already been made a thousand times in a thousand other movies, but enjoy the originality of the film technique on display. Grade: A-
Rating:
Summary: The best "deal with the devil" movie ever!
Review: This film version of Stephen Vincent Benet's short story (a variation on "Faust") is excellent in all departments. No actor ever made a more convincing Devil than Walter Huston. Edward Arnold is equally fine as Daniel Webster. The mood and photography give the film a German Expressionistic feel, despite its fully American origin. Bernard Herrmann's musical score won an Oscar. A must!
Rating:
Summary: funny, scary and poignant
Review: This has to be one the most priceless films about the American experience, mixing metaphor and history. The story begins in one chilling scene in which the shadow of the Devil taunts the noble statesman Daniel Webster - you'll never be President if you stick to your pieties, warns Old Scratch. Switching gears, the Devil sets his sights on easier game - a barely solvent New Hampshire farmer named Jabez Stone, the sort of angry everyman who would sell his soul to the devil if things got too rough. (It's the middle of the 19th century, with the every-man for himself mentality that would nearly destroy the Union within the ten years). Stone's greed and desperation get the better of him, and he sells his soul for 7 years of boundless riches and good fortune - with advance paid from a sack of lost Hessian gold. Stone becomes wealthy, but also becomes less of the likeable guy and good neighbor his small New Hampshire town loved - replacing the hated Miser Stephens as the hamlet's chief creditor. The change attracts the attention of Dan Webster himself, New Hampshire's favorite son. Despite having second thoughts now and then, Stone remains steadfast in his ways, and makes no attempt to escape his fated damnation. When Stone appears to flag, Scratch manages to find an inducement - he can always collect immediately if he thinks Stone was trying to break the deal. Scratch hedges his bet, unleashing plagues of hail and other misfortunes for New Hampshire, bad luck that manages not to touch Stone. He also sends a sexy demon, Bel (Simone Simon of "Cat People") with a softer way of guaranteeing Stone's compliance. Where Webster fails to turn Stone on the right path, the sudden passage of seven years succeeds in swaying him. The Devil returns to claim Stone's soul. Seemingly amenable to negotiation, he soon reveals his darker true self, and the claim stands. Only one obstacle remains between the poor farmer and damnation - Webster himself, who pledges to stand up to a dozen devils for any one New Hampshire man. With a court held sway by a jury of the damned (including among others Blackbeard the pirate and Ben Arnold) not predisposed to spare Stone from purgatory, Webster knows he's got an uphill battle. Instead, he argues what essentially amounts to a redemption of America from it's sins - our nation has to an extent been built upon such suffering, but the evil of the past can be redeemed somewhat by not condemning the future (i.e., you're condemned, but you can redeem yourself by giving Stone the shot at salvation that nobody offered you). This was a great film for so many reasons, mostly because of the topnotch acting and the way the script jumps between the metaphorical and historical messages. History-wise, the film speaks of the nobility of the union cause and against the evils that would seek to fragment it on the eve of the civil war; with America still on the fence about entering WWII, the script also spoke to those on the verge of siding with the antidemocratic forces in born of the depression and the improbable triumphs of fascist Europe. But you should really watch this flick for the acting, especially Ed Arnold as the redoubtable Webster and Walter Huston as the insidious Mr. Scratch. As Webster, Arnold is uniformly noble whether standing up to the divisive forces in America or the jury of the damned who made it so. But Huston shines improbably as Scratch who alternates between easygoing and demonic in his praise of America's greed and his search for a place in its history. When Webster argues that neither Stone nor any American can be forced to serve a foreigner, Scratch replies with film's least forgettable speech - who is more American than he is? Wasn't he the master of the first slave ship to America? When the first wrong was done to the Indian, wasn't he there? Isn't the devil a perennial character in the Sunday sermons of every Church in America? ("Now it's true that the South takes me for a northerner and the North for a southerner, and, though I am loathe to admit it, Mr. Webtser, I'm actually more famous here than you.") The devil speaks to the cynical side of our history that he is an American if only because we cannot take the fall for our own episodes of deviltry, a point the script leaves some impression with in its final shot - Scratch himself facing the camera and, with his index finger pointed straight at the audience, doing a chillingly hilarious impression of Uncle Sam. "I want you" he seems to say. A classic film.
Rating:
Summary: Walter Houston at his most impressive!
Review: This is a great film. What makes it great? Well, lots of things. It was wonderfully directed by William Dieterle, edited by Robert Wise, scored by Bernard Herrmann (who won an Oscar), but most outstanding is the performance of Walter Huston. You'll never hear me say anything against James Stewart or Henry Fonda, but Walter Huston was the original everyman - "American Madness," "Rain," "Abraham Lincoln," "Gabriel Over the White House," "Dodsworth," etc., - but unlike them he was a character actor, everybit as good as Charles Laughton. Now "Dodsworth" and "Treasure of the Sierra Madre" are the films that Huston is now most remembered for - but "The Devil and Daniel Webster" should be considered right along with them. Huston is superb. Take a look at his performances in these last three films and try to remember that it's just one actor. Mistakenly the Academy nominated Huston in the lead category for this performance when, indeed, he was a supporting player. Had he been nominated in the correct category he would (and should) have won the award. This is simply a great actor at the top of his game - and when Huston was at the top of his game no one could touch him. Don't let this classic slip by.
Rating:
Summary: Sui generis: a classic unto its own
Review: This is one of the most unusual movies ever made, a true treasury of inventiveness, and only one of about 200 total (out of nearly 20,000 films) to which acclaimed British film critic Leslie Halliwell had awarded 4 stars. Those who know Mr. Halliwell's work will immediately recognize that this makes for a very special film, since he was in his day perhaps the surest guide of all to Golden Age films, as well as being a very tough grader. Hence, a presumptively extraordinary film. In spite of this, the film failed commercially because it does not fit easily into any given category. It depicted a German Faustian theme about a farmer who sold his soul to the devil. Yet it was set in the context of down-home Americana. And it bore the arty qualities of a German expressionism brought to it by its famed director, William Dieterle. Into this mix, one can throw first-class American acting by Walter Huston and Edward Arnold, and the entire package becomes one weird combination for marketing purposes. That having been said, this indescribable mix is an amazing movie: it moves quickly, it is amazingly photographed in moody black and white, it has a first-class score that rivals anything Bernard Herrmann ever did (e.g., Vertigo), it has a lead performance by Walter Huston as the devil ('Mr. Scratch') that ranks among the most memorable performances ever recorded on film, and it concludes a fine and imaginative script with a 'courtroom scene' that is utterly fascinating in its depiction of the most infamous blackguards of American history being summoned from the depths of perdition to stand as jury to determine whether or not the poor farmer who had sold his soul should be held to have a binding contract with the devil. The film is roistering entertainment as well as caviar for the pointy-head crowd, quite a mix by any measure. Not to be missed!
Rating:
Summary: Possibly one of the best films ever made.
Review: This review is for the Criterion Collection DVD edition of the film.
"The Devil & Daniel Webster" is simply put, a great film with an important moral. It is based on a short story of the same name by Stephen Vincent Benét.
It takes place near the state lines of Vermont, Massachusetts and New Hampshire in the 1840's. Jabez Stone, a struggling and destitute farmer signs a contract with Satan, offering to give him his soul after 7 years of good fortune. He has money but is very unhappy with his predicament. When the devil comes to collect, Jabez calls on Daniel Webster to help him void the contract.
Note:
Daniel Webster was a real-life historical figure. He was secratary of State a few times and ran for president in 1836
I am reminded of Matthew 16:26
"For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" I could almost say that this could be a Christian film. It goes to show that one's soul is more important that their life.
The acting in the film is excellent and a great Oscar® winning musical score. The film also includes the classic folk tune "Devil's Dream" which is a longtime favorite of mine.
The film was remade in 2001 by Alec Baldwin but never released due to budget problems in post production. Quite a shame as a remake would be great for the times we are living in.
The DVD has an excellent assortment of special features also.
There is a recording of Alec Baldwin reading the original short story by Stephen Vincent Benét, production and publicity photos and ephemerma, A comparison between the two versions of the film, a presentation about the music in the film, audio commentary by Bruce Eder and Steven C. Smith, and two audio drama radio shows based on Stephen Vincent Benét's stories "The Devil and Daniel Webster" and "Daniel Webster and the Sea Serpent."
This DVD is one of the best releases by the Criterion Collection and I highly recommend this film.
Rating:
Summary: The clever devil challenges you
Review: Walter Huston as the devil gives a knock out performance in this classic film. Filmed in the middle of the WW2 , the film is a well made adaptation of the famous Fausto , but set in a little town, where the greed and the ambition transforms the soul and the character of a very good farmer.
The script turns around the hunger for power who lives in all human being. He makes a contract with the devil and the promise will allow him seven years of richness . Suddenly he changes his old habits and becomes cruel and insane mood , he becomes in a no mercy pawnbroker and he reachs the peak like the most hated man of the town.
The story will lead us to a twist of fate about a famous politician (who else?) who will have his verbal duel with the devil in an unforgettable and surrealistic place with a weird jury. Wonderful defense with a powerful reasoning.
This picture became in a cult movie due his expressiveness and his flamboyant rhytm .
This one may be the best achievement of Willam Dieterle as film maker.
The ending sequence is anthological!
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