
The Devil and Daniel Webster
1941, Fantasy, 1h 47m
18 Reviews 1,000+ RatingsYou might also like
Where to watch
The Devil and Daniel Webster Photos
Movie Info
Cast & Crew
Daniel Webster
Mr. Scratch
Jabez Stone
Ma Stone
Belle
Squire Slossum
Critic Reviews for The Devil and Daniel Webster
All Critics (18) | Top Critics (1) | Fresh (18)
-
Juxtapose the name of a true-life nineteenth-century orator, attorney and senator with the Biblical personification of evil, and you capture something of the strange mix here of social realism and moralising mythology
February 27, 2009 -
William Dieterle has created a masterpiece in presenting the supernatural onscreen in a very natural way. [Full Review in Spanish]
September 11, 2019 | Full Review… -
This devil is fun, seductive, even, and he knows it-he's always immensely pleased with himself, and he doesn't need to pressure anyone to do business with him...
June 23, 2012 | Rating: 8/10 | Full Review… -
Quote not available.
March 1, 2008 | Rating: 3/5 -
Quote not available.
July 29, 2007 | Rating: 4/5 -
It's the heavy Teutonic Faust, but made American lite in this supernatural tale.
July 10, 2007 | Rating: B | Full Review…
Audience Reviews for The Devil and Daniel Webster
-
Dec 26, 2011A New Hampshire sodbuster is up against the ropes and feeling it when he makes an errant oath: "I'd sell my soul for two cents if I could!" Enter His Most Despicable Oneness (charmingly sleezy as rendered by Walter Huston) and trouble comes with him. Who can save the day? Very nearly post expressionist German in style and substance this creative fantasy has stood the test of time gracefully.Kevin M. W Super Reviewer
-
May 21, 2009Edward Arnold comes through again, this time as the legendary Daniel Webster, a lawyer and statesman who seemed more myth than man. Unfortunately, the bulk of the movie is about Jabez Stone, a simple farmer with a deep voice who likes to say "consarnit!" alot (and I do mean alot). Early in the movie, he makes a deal with the devil to become wealthy and have good fortune, and from that point on, we're shown the evils that money brings. Anne Shirley is the really beautiful actress playing his wife Mary, and Jane Darwell (Ma Joad from "the Grapes of Wrath") plays his loudly concerned mother. There's very little in the way of character development going on, outside of the typical 1940s hayseed dialogue (at one point, one of the characters cringe-inducingly says to another "that's mighty white of you"). Perhaps the only element with any sort of shocking undertone was the character "Belle" (as played by Simone Simon). As the devil's seductress, she basically kicks the wife out of the house and steals her son away. Jabez even builds a mansion just for her. Surely risque business for the 40s. It's not until the last 20 minutes that Daniel Webster and the devil actually duke it out, and it's a little anti-climactic at that. On the plus side, there's some outstanding direction and use of lense-smudging to create an eerie effect on the "jury of the damned". In spite of some corny cheesiness, it's still a worthy classic.Devon B Super Reviewer
-
Dec 30, 2008i wasn't too inspired as some people seem to be by it but it had a strong script. the acting was average and where did that maid come from? the woman that was looking after the son... meh, didn't make sense! i haven't even mentioned the way there's so much... "look how great we are in the USA" going on in it. people actually believe that tripe? honest politicians in the big apple? it's like it was made for children to view. spoonfed moralsSanity Assassin ! Super Reviewer
-
Oct 19, 2008Solid, entertaining and thoughtful.Morris N Super Reviewer
The Devil and Daniel Webster Quotes
There are no approved quotes yet for this movie.
Movie & TV guides
About Tomatometer
The percentage of Approved Tomatometer Critics who have given this movie a positive review
About Audience Score
The percentage of users who rated this 3.5 stars or higher.
Verified