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Licensor Information
Janus Films
Directed by: William Dieterle
Featuring: Edward Arnold, Walter Huston, Jane Darwell, Simone Simon, Gene Lockhart, John Qualen, Anne Shirley, James Craig
Jabez Stone is a hard-working farmer trying to make an honest living, but a streak of bad luck tempts him to do the unthinkable: bargain with the Devil himself. For seven years of good fortune, Stone promises “Mr. Scratch” his soul when the contract ends. When the troubled farmer begins to realize the error of his choice, he enlists the aid of the one man who might save him: the legendary orator and politician Daniel Webster. Directed with stylish flair by William Dieterle, The Devil and Daniel Webster brings the classic short story by Stephen Vincent Benét to life with inspired visuals, an unforgettable Oscar-winning score by Bernard Herrmann, and a truly diabolical performance from Walter Huston.
Streaming Options
29226.
+17482
Release Information:
Technical Specifications
Format:
DVD
Disc:
DVD-9 (1 Disc)
Total: 1 Disc
Regions:
1/2/3/4/5/6 (DVD)
Aspect Ratio:
1.33:1
Audio Options:
English Dolby Digital Mono 1.0
Resolution:
480p/29.97
Supplements
Types of Supplements Included: Audio Commentary, Audio Recording, Video Presentation, Radio Program, Mulitimedia Essay, Gallery, Insert
- Audio commentary by film historian Bruce Eder and Bernard Herrmann biographer Steven C. Smith
- Reading of Stephen Vincent Benét’s short story “The Devil and Daniel Webster” by acclaimed actor/director Alec Baldwin
- Comparison between The Devil and Daniel Webster and the earlier preview version of the film, Here Is a Man
- The Columbia Workshop’s radio dramatizations of Stephen Vincent Benét’s short stories “The Devil and Daniel Webster” and “Daniel Webster and the Sea Serpent,” both featuring music by Bernard Herrmann
- The music of The Devil and Daniel Webster, presented in an interactive essay by Christopher Husted of Bernard Herrmann’s estate
- Gallery of behind-the-scenes photos and promotional materials
- Insert featuring an essay by author Tom Piazza and a reprinted article by Stephen Vincent Benét
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Picture
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Supplements
Artwork
Release Credits
Producer: Curtis Tsui
Artwork: Eric Skillman
Restoration Information
The Devil and Daniel Webster
Restoration by:
The Criterion Collection
Year: 2002
Scanned at: High-Definition Digital
Restored at: High-Definition Digital
Sources:
35mm Print
35mm Duplicate negative
Release Notes on Restoration
The Devil and Daniel Webster
The Devil and Daniel Webster is presented in its original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.33:1. On widescreen telev1s1ons black bars W111 appear on the left and right of the image to maintain the proper screen format. To provide the highest quality image, this new high—definition digital transfer was created from a 35mm duplicate negative in combination With a 35mm print on a Spirit Datacine. Thousands of instances of dirt, debris and scratches were reduced using the MTI Digital Restoration system. The soundtrack was mastered at 24-bit from a 35mm optical soundtrack negative and audio restoration tools were used to reduce clicks pops, hiss, and crackle. The Dolby Digital 1.0 signal will be directed to the center channel on 5.1-channel sound systems but some viewers may prefer to Switch to two-channel playback for a Wider dispersal of the mono sound.