Farmer Jabez Stone, about to lose his land, agrees to sell his soul to the devil, known as Mr. Scratch, who gives Jabez seven years to enjoy the fruits of his sale before he collects. Over that time, Jabez pays off his debts and helps many neighboring farmers, then becomes an advocate for the upstanding Sen. Daniel Webster. When Jabez's contract with Mr. Scratch concludes, he desperately turns to Webster to represent him in a trial for his soul.
Directed by William Dieterle
pact with the devil
devil
farmer
Trailer
IMDB
N/A
Letterboxd
3.8 / 5
Where to Watch
Cast
Edward Arnold
Daniel Webster
Walter Huston
Mr. Scratch
Jane Darwell
Ma Stone
Simone Simon
Belle
Gene Lockhart
Squire Slossum
John Qualen
Miser Stevens
H.B. Warner
Justice Hawthorne
Lindy Wade
Daniel Stone
George Cleveland
Cy Bibber
Anne Shirley
Mary Stone
James Craig
Jabez Stone
Frank Austin
Spectator (uncredited)
Crew
William Dieterle
Director
Stephen Vincent Benet
Screenplay
Bernard Herrmann
Original Music Composer
Robert Wise
Editor
William Dieterle
Producer
Van Nest Polglase
Art Direction
Bernard Herrmann
Conductor
Vernon L. Walker
Special Effects
Popular Reviews
13 reviews
MopudPRO
9.0★ · 05/03/26
it’s not about the devil taking your soul, it’s about how easily you hand it over
it’s not about the devil taking your soul, it’s about how easily you hand it over
PoochieVince
9.0★ · 03/18/26
Finally got around to this one after watching the Simpsons parody ("Treehouse of Horror IV") a thousand times growing up. It’s wild seeing where all those gags actually came from—the Jury of the Damned is even better in the original.
Finally got around to this one after watching the Simpsons parody ("Treehouse of Horror IV") a thousand times growing up. It’s wild seeing where all those gags actually came from—the Jury of the Damned is even better in the original.
Bearman08
7.0★ · 12/31/25
Me?!
Me?!
Bearman08
7.0★ · 12/31/25
Me?!
Me?!
Paul Hare
7.2★ · 06/29/25
I can easily see Robert Eggers doing a remake of this movie. Willem Dafoe as Mr. Scratch would be incredible
There is a LOT of propaganda in this movie, but considering it came out in 1941 I'm not surprised.
I can easily see Robert Eggers doing a remake of this movie. Willem Dafoe as Mr. Scratch would be incredible
There is a LOT of propaganda in this movie, but considering it came out in 1941 I'm not surprised.
