The Devil & Daniel Webster (The Criterion Collection) [DVD]

The Devil & Daniel Webster is a timeless tale of a luckless farmer who strikes a Faustian bargain with the devil, trading his soul for seven years of prosperity.

But as he grows corrupted and regretful of his mistake, legendary orator Daniel Webster intervenes with a triumphant defense.

This Criterion DVD includes a sturdy, stylish rendition of Benet's original narrative, featuring William Dieterle's inspired film adaptation, along with a playfully expressive reading of the original story by Alec Baldwin and vintage radio performances of two of Benet's three "Daniel Webster" stories.

The film and radio plays were scored by legendary composer Bernard Herrmann, whose Oscar®-winning film score is examined in an interactive essay by Herrmann expert Christopher Husted.

With additional essays and archival materials, this superb DVD shows how a great story can lend itself to a variety of mediums, proving that The Devil & Daniel Webster is a must-own for any film or literature lover.