Landmark Folk Horror Classic Brought Back To Life In Gorgeous Restoration
If you’re a classic horror movie buff, you’ve likely already watched All That Money Can Buy. It’s one of the classics that helped set the standard for horror movies. According to the Library of Congress, this beloved classic is considered “One of the most inventive and imaginative films ever.”
If you’ve heard of it, you might already be going to find the new restoration. However, if you haven’t heard much about this movie or just want to know what the restoration includes, buckle up,
A Landmark 1941 Film
The Devil and Daniel Webster, also known as All That Money Can Buy, is a horror classic. It was first released in 1941 and was directed by William Dierterle. The idea for the movie came from a short story by Stephen Vincent Benét, which was then turned into a play, and then became this beloved classic.
The cast includes actors and actresses such as Edward Arnold, Walter Hutson, and Simone Simon.
Classic Morality Tale
The movie’s plot is based in 1840, in New Hampshire. A local farmer named Jabez Stone ended up down on his luck and without any money to his name. In desperation, the man boldly announces his wishes to make a deal with the Devil to get over his bad luck.
Always eager to make a deal, the Devil appears. In All That Money Can Buy, he calls himself Mr. Scratch. Mr. Scratch is willing to make a deal with the poor farmer. If the man agrees to sell his soul, he will get seven years where his luck is turned around.
The Sin Of Greed
As expected, the man agrees, and he starts his seven years paying off debts and getting what he needs to keep his farm going. The story follows the now-standard storyline of a man who ends up greedy for too much money. In the end, he tries whatever he can to get out of the contract and save his soul.
Though the story is rather a cliche one now, this movie does it exceptionally well. It is one of the reasons this type of plot became so popular. The movie is also almost perfect, despite its age and lack of CGI to take everything over the top.
Small Budget And No CGI
All That Money Can Buy is a great example of how good movies can be made and have been made, even with small budgets and limited technology. Similar to another horror classic, The Blair Witch Project, this movie uses your own emotion and fear to make the story memorable.
If you want to know more about the plot and background of the movie, GenreVision has an excellent podcast episode on the story and other horror films.
Crisp And Clean Black And White
Though All That Money Can Buy is a great movie, the fact that it’s from the 1940s could throw people off before they give it a chance. The movie is, thankfully, still in black-and-white. However, the film is now crisp and clear, without the imperfections and blurriness you’d expect to see in a film from 80 years ago.
New Release Comes With Plenty Of Extras
The movie also comes with extra features. You get the 4K digital restoration, but you also get audio commentary, readings of the actual story by famous actors, comparisons to the preview and the original of the film, subtitles, and much more.
The restoration of All That Money Can Buy isn’t only for those who like the horror genre or the classics. It’s also perfect for those who enjoy the history and background of making a movie and where the ideas come from.
Source: The Criterion Collection
