The Devil and Max Devlin (1981): Cast, Box Office & Plot
The Devil and Max Devlin is a 1981 fantasy comedy directed by Steven Hilliard Stern, starring Elliott Gould as Max Devlin, Bill Cosby and Julie Budd. It runs 1 hour 36 minutes and earned $16 million worldwide.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 36m (96 min)
- Director
- Steven Hilliard Stern
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Walt Disney Productions
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The Devil and Max Devlin About?
The premise of The Devil and Max Devlin without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
After dying in a car crash, Max is sent to Hell, where the devil Barney offers him a chance to remain on Earth: he must convince three innocent youths to sell their souls within two months. Armed with supernatural abilities, Max returns, but the task proves tough, especially when seven‑year‑old Tobi insists he marry his mother.
The Devil and Max Devlin Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- self sacrifice
- redemption
- happy ending
- reference to satan
- selling soul to the devil
- contract with the devil
- soul
- devil
- the devil
- hell
- aspiring singer
- grammy
+38 more Show fewer
- fireplace
- cigar smoking
- wedding reception
- wedding ceremony
- wedding
- swimming pool
- swimming
- beach
- chess
- park
- singing
- singer
- playground
- roller skating
- car
- driving
- tennis
- hot tub
- telephone call
- hand clapping game
- seesaw
- backyard
- teddy bear
- stuffed animal
- balloon
- cotton candy
- carnival ride
- motocross
- invisibility
- diner
- white cane
- blindness
- blind woman
- sign of the cross
- crossing self
- los angeles california
- california
- soul selling
The Devil and Max Devlin Cast & Characters
Elliott Gould leads the cast as Max Devlin, with Bill Cosby as Barney Satin and Julie Budd as Stella Summers. Directed by Steven Hilliard Stern; 16 actors are credited in all.
- Director Steven Hilliard Stern
-
Elliott Gould as Max Devlin - Bill Cosby as Barney Satin
- Julie Budd as Stella Summers
- David Knell as Nerve Nordlinger
Also Starring in The Devil and Max Devlin
· 12 more- Adam Rich Toby Hart
- Susan Anspach Penny Hart
- Denise DuBarry Stella's Secretary
- Chuck Shamata Jerry Nadler
- Reggie Nalder Chairman of Devil's Council
- Helene Winston Agent Hargraves
- Sonny Shroyer Big Billy Hunniker
- George Sasaki Wedding Guest (uncredited)
- Sally Marr Mrs. Gormley
- Tracie Savage Pammy
- Lillian Müller Veronica
- Mukunda Goswami Hare Krishna
More from Steven Hilliard Stern
More films directed by Steven Hilliard Stern: Breaking the Surface: The Greg Louganis Story, Black Fox: Good Men and Bad, Black Fox: The Price of Peace and To Save the Children.
The Devil and Max Devlin Plot Summary
What happens in The Devil and Max Devlin from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 13 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Max Devlin, Elliott Gould, is the shady landlord of a rundown Los Angeles slum, always skirting his tenants’ anger as they mutter that he both owns and profits from the dilapidated building. During a chaotic escape from a mob of tenants, a passing bus ends his life, and he plummets into hell, a realm that mirrors a cold, corporate headquarters. There he meets Barney Satin, the devil’s top henchman, Bill Cosby, who lays out a ruthless bargain: he will grant Max release if he can recruit three innocent souls to sell theirs in exchange for his own freedom. Max agrees, is returned to the living world, but Barney retains his own soul and forbids Max from seeing his reflection in mirrors.
Full summary
The whole story of The Devil and Max Devlin, scene by scene
The Devil and Max Devlin Box Office
The Devil and Max Devlin grossed $16 million worldwide.
Worldwide gross
$16M
- US & Canada
- $16M
How Well Do You Know The Devil and Max Devlin?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Which actor portrayed Max Devlin in the film?
Cars in The Devil and Max Devlin
26 cars on screen, including the 1975 Datsun 710 Wagon and the 1966 Ford Mustang.
-
1975 Datsun 710 Wagon Important role -
1966 Ford Mustang Important role -
Yamaha IT 175 Important role -
1969 Cadillac Fleetwood 75 Minor role
The Devil and Max Devlin Also Known As
8 alternative titles, including “Zum Teufel mit Max” and “Il diavolo e Max”.
- Also known as
-
- Zum Teufel mit Max
- Il diavolo e Max
- Un pacto de mil demonios
- Max et le diable
- Дьявол и Макс Девлин
- Max Devlin e o Diabo
- השטן ומקס דוולין
- 영혼을 판 사나이
Seen The Devil and Max Devlin?
Movies Like The Devil and Max Devlin
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including When the Devil Calls Your Name, Poor Devil and The Devil’s Cabaret.
-
When the Devil Calls Your Name 2019 -
Poor Devil 1973 -
The Devil’s Cabaret 1930 -
The New Devil of Hellsbottom 1964 -
Oh, God! You Devil 1984 -
The Devil and the Ten Commandments 1962 -
I Was a Teenage Faust 2002 -
Angel on My Shoulder 1946 -
Deal of a Lifetime 2000 -
How to Be Really Bad 2018 -
The Devil’s Child 1997 -
One Hell of a Guy 2000
The Devil and Max Devlin FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office and post-credit scenes of The Devil and Max Devlin, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Devil and Max Devlin?
The Devil and Max Devlin runs 1 hour 36 minutes (96 minutes).
When was The Devil and Max Devlin released?
The Devil and Max Devlin was released on March 6, 1981.
Who directed The Devil and Max Devlin?
The Devil and Max Devlin was directed by Steven Hilliard Stern.
More films by Steven Hilliard Stern Who is in the cast of The Devil and Max Devlin?
The Devil and Max Devlin stars Elliott Gould as Max Devlin, Bill Cosby as Barney Satin and Julie Budd as Stella Summers, among 16 credited actors.
How much did The Devil and Max Devlin make at the box office?
The Devil and Max Devlin grossed $16 million worldwide.
Does The Devil and Max Devlin have a post-credit scene?
No. The Devil and Max Devlin has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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