Bearskin, a Civil War veteran, makes a deal with the devil and comes out victor, although he pays dearly for his deal for seven years. He agrees to wear the devil's green coat and a bearskin for seven years without bathing or washing his clothes. He also cannot groom his nails. Although he has plenty of money, he learns that he cannot buy friends or physical comforts very easily when he is unwashed and grotesque. There is a very humbling and disgusting moment when we see Bearskin picking at lice and and vermin on his body.

Bearskin is never the monster in spirit that he appears in body, however. He gives money to a man about to lose his home and family. The man then offers one of his daughters to Bearskin in marriage, although Bearskin does not ask for this. The two elder daughters are eager to marry a rich man until they see him in all of his filthy rags. The youngest daughter, eager to keep her father's word, agrees to marry him after his seven years are up.

Eventually, the devil returns and admits that Bearskin has won the bargain. Bearskin insists on being made clean again and the grooming scenes are just as refreshing for the viewer as they are for Bearskin. The message that appearances can be deceptive is another subtext of the film.

All ends well, except for the two greedy sisters, who the devil claims have made his bargain a good one--he got two souls for the price of one.

This film will work better for older school audiences, perhaps 8 and up.