Earl Hamner (creator of "The Waltons") wrote this script. It is pretty light weight. For a Southerner, he depicts the characters as stereotypical hillbillies. Their accents and use of idioms are almost comical. The story begins with a barn dance. A handsome young man delivers a diamond ring to a pretty farm girl and she accepts his proposal. Her father announces that he has given his blessing. Slinking around in the background is Jess- Belle (Jezebel, I suppose, although it really doesn't follow the Biblical narrative), the raven- haired former lover of the young man. She is dark and driven. She confronts her former beau and he tells her kindly that this is over. She threatens him and his bride to be. There is a woman who is known as a spell weaver and a witch. Jess-Belle purchases a potion which will make her irresistible to her quarry. It works, but she pays a huge price. In a latter day take on Cinderella, she turns into a leopard after midnight each night, so even though he is hopelessly in love with her, she must leave him alone each night.
This leads to considerable consequences for all. There are so many questions one should ask. I supposed that since these people are superstitious (rightfully so) and seen as very simple, they have lost the ability to think. Anyway, it's a pretty lightweight effort.