Last night I watched this on the Criterion DVD. I had their version on laserdisc but this is a MUCH better transfer. The Stephen Vincent Benet story is of a down and out New Hampshire farmer in 1840 who sells his soul to the devil in exchange for seven years of prosperity. When the seven years are up the devil (Walter Huston) returns to claim the man's soul but Daniel Webster defends the man in a trial where the jury is made up of infamous American traitors and criminals. Simone Simon has an excellent role as the farmer's seductive mistress. The score by Bernard herrman is one of his best.
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Topic - "The Devil and Daniel Webster" - rico 09:55:22 04/21/06 (3)
- Interesting, because I've read just the opposite about the quality of Criterion's release in this instance. - Audiophilander 14:46:31 04/21/06 (2)
- Re: Interesting, because I've read just the opposite about the quality of Criterion's release in this instance. - rico 08:06:53 04/22/06 (1)
- Ah, I see. Keep in mind that I'm judging this release from my recollections of a 20 year old network broadcast. - Audiophilander 09:54:38 04/22/06 (0)