NOTE: The Criterion Collection DVD is available as of this writing, June 2004 and presents a wonderfully restored 106 minute version that is as faithful to Dieterle's vision as we are likely to get. Below I rave about the 84 minute hacked version. You can imagine how ecstatic I am about the 106 minute version that fills in so many blanks in the story. Buy this DVD for your collection!

This little-known film deserves to be on the American Film Institute Top 100, perhaps in the Top 10, it's that good. It is a reprehensible crime that the film has been allowed to deteriorate to the point that, unless it is restored, it will become an irreplaceable casualty of deterioration that all films are subject to.

The Devil and Daniel Webster originally released as All That Money Can Buy because of the Bible Belt's resistance to mentioning the debbil, was also cut into pieces and respliced to remove "objectionable" elements on a number of occasions.

As Macresarf1 said in his fine review, the film had the fingerprints of Orson Welles all over it, although he is not listed in the credits. In my opinion, The Devil and Daniel Webster is a finer movie experience than Welles' acknowledged masterpiece Citizen Kane because it is told with all the artful camera tricks but with a much more accessible story and better known actors than Kane.

The movie concerns itself with hard luck farmer, Jabez Stone (James Craig), in New Hampshire who, following a run of worse luck than usual, offers to sell his soul to the devil for two cents. The devil, in the person of Walter Huston immediately appears, suitably cloaked in smoke and brimstone. He offers seven years of good luck and fortune in exchange for Stone's useless soul. Stone agrees and the debbil marks the expiration date April 7, 1847 on the old tree as a reminder. Everything goes well for Stone until the date nears, by this time he is the wealthiest man in New Hampshire but he suddenly becomes troubled when none of his neighbors show up at his new mansion for his party.

Daniel Webster (Edward Arnold) is an ancillary character to all these goings on which mainly concern Stone and his immediate neighbors as well as frequent visits from Mr. Scratch who always seems to turn up at an opportune moment. Apparently, and you history buffs can correct me, Daniel Webster was the image of rectitude in the middle 1800's and he was in line for the U.S. presidency until he supported the Missouri Compromise where Missouri was allowed into the Union as a slave state and Kansas as a non-slave state. It was remarked that Webster sold his soul to the devil. Also, the date of April 7, 1847 was alleged to be the start of the Mexican War, the first U.S. war that historians said was for an unjust cause. You'll have to look it up because I didn't. Anyway, the neighbors appeal to Webster because of the unjust loans and foreclosures Stone has subjected his neighbors to during his seven years of good luck.

At the confrontation between Webster and farmer Stone, Stone begins to repent of his wickedness but it's too late, Mr. Scratch has come for his soul and it is due and payable at midnight…

There is a scene in Stone's barn where Satan calls up a jury of the damned to try Stone's case. Webster can defend Stone but if he loses his soul is also forfeit. This makes for a stunning trial with no holds barred! Finally, the epilog shows that the devil is still out there doing his dirty work even as we speak.

The direction by William Dieterle is striking and incisive. The scenes are staged with great care and are full of meaning. Dialog is sharp and witty and written by the author Stephen Vincent Benet and Dan Totheroh. Photography and set design is very similar to the best I have seen, with stark lighting rivaling Orson Welles' best work. Editing is by Robert Wise who later brought us the classic "The Day the Earth Stood Still." Editing is full of quick cuts and is punctuated with a superior musical score by Bernard Herrmann. Special effects are also well ahead of their time.

However, what is a film without actors? This film boasts some of the best acting ever put on celluloid, with Walter Huston and Edward Arnold giving two of the best. James Craig as the farmer Stone is wonderful, as is Jane Darwell as his mother. One of the most uninhibited performances is produced by Simone Simon, who plays the demon Belle in a performance rife with sexual power, however nothing suggestive is said or shown - a remarkable performance and one many actresses should study for clues.

This film has been restored by Home Vision with most of the cuts replaced and is the most complete version likely to be available. The Devil and Daniel Webster is currently only available on VHS but should be a part of every film buff's library. It is different from any other film I have ever seen.




Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Fit for Friday Evening