The Letter
by William Wyler
(Click here)
Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada
Canada
DVD Cover Information
Actor: Bette Davis, Frieda Inescort, Gale Sondergaard, Herbert Marshall, James StephensonDirector: William Wyler
Brand: DAVIS,BETTE
Cinematographer: Tony Gaudio
Producer: William Wyler
Editor: George Amy
Producer: Hal B. Wallis
Producer: Robert Lord
Writer: Howard Koch
Writer: W. Somerset Maugham
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 1.0; English (Subtitled); Spanish (Subtitled); French (Subtitled)
Format: Black & White, Closed-captioned, DVD, Full Screen, NTSC, Subtitled
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 95 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2005-01-11
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Warner Home Video
Movie Reviews of The Letter
Movie Review: Breathtaking, each and every time...
Summary: 5 Stars
From the opening gunshots to the final, shocking conclusion, `The Letter' is a stunning and provocative film that never lets the audience out of suspense. With beautifully crafted performances and a stunning script that plays with the audience in more ways than one, this film is one of the best from the 40's, and maybe even one of the best ever.
Draped in crisp black and white, `The Letter' opens with a bang, literally, as Bette Davis's character, Leslie, comes barreling out of her front door firing round after round at a man she would later claim attacked her. On a rubber plantation in Malaysia, Leslie and her husband Robert wait while Howard Joyce (Leslie's lawyer) develops a solid case of self-defense.
The only problem is that not even Howard is convinced of Leslie's innocence.
The film (running only about 95 minutes) runs at a nice pace, never losing steam or meandering at all, and yet it still manages to flesh out the characters very well. This is due to some amazing performances. Anyone who knows me knows that I worship Bette Davis and consider her, quite frankly, the greatest actress of all time. Her performance here is certainly one of her finest creations. With a slick control of her own sensuality, and her commanding presence (she is the true definition of a strong woman) Davis flows in and out of each scene with bravado and precision. Her emotional collapse towards the films end (when her big secret is revealed) is a stunning piece of work. She is not alone here though, for the entire cast really supports her. James Stephenson is beautifully conflicted as Howard Joyce, and Herbert Marshall (he reminds me of a young Russell Crowe, more for his features than his acting style) is beautifully restrained as Leslie's doting husband Robert. A true standout here is Gale Sondergaard, who just sizzles with barely a word as the deceased's scorned widow.
Her eyes are so piercing.
A true stunner of a film, `The Letter' is daring, sensuous and controversial (that final shot) and I love it for all those reasons.
Don't miss this film!
Summary of The Letter
A rubber plantation owner's wife kills a man in \self-defense"", only to have a letter surface which proves it was the murder of her blackmailer.Genre: Feature Film-Drama
Rating: NR
Release Date: 11-JAN-2005
Media Type: DVD"""
In the opening sequence of The Letter, director William Wyler delivers a primer on film directing: at a rubber plantation, in the tropical funk of a Malaysian night, the heavy stillness is suddenly broken by shots... and a woman with a gun, descending a staircase. She is the wife of the plantation owner, and the dead man is, ahem, not her husband. Holding the gun so securely is Bette Davis, in one of her greatest performances (her acting of a big revelation, late in the film, is still an astounding piece of emotional fluency). The story is taken from one of those sturdy Somerset Maugham tales that has proved itself in many versions, but this is the keeper; it was nominated for seven Oscars?, including best picture, director, and actress, winning none. Wyler's impeccable direction, and Davis's take-no-prisoners approach to an "unsympathetic" character, make for a completely satisfying picture. --Robert Horton
Drama DVD Video
DVD Video
- Action & Adventure
- African American Cinema
- Animation
- Anime & Manga
- Art House & International
- Classics
- Comedy
- Cult Movies
- Documentary
- Drama
- Educational
- Fitness & Yoga
- Gay & Lesbian
- Horror
- Kids & Family
- Military & War
- Music Video & Concerts
- Musicals & Performing Arts
- Mystery & Suspense
- Science Fiction & Fantasy
- Special Interests
- Sports
- Television
- Westerns
Movies most talked about in Another Girls Night In with Classic Films!
![I Married a Witch [VHS] Image](/images/I-Married-a-Witch-VHS-6301706498-X.jpg){kind=small}
I Married a Witch [VHS]Warner Home Video; Release date: 1993-01-27; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $64.45
Down Argentine WayGRABLE,BETTY; Release date: 2006-06-13; DVD
Best price: $6.99
Price in other shops:
LauraPublished: 2004; DVD
Best price: $11.93
The Red MillRelease date: 2009-06-22; DVD
Best price: $17.49
Price in other shops:
NinotchkaGARBO,GRETA; Release date: 2005-09-06; DVD
Best price: $9.89
Price in other shops:
Dream WifeRelease date: 2009-06-22; DVD
Best price: $17.99
Price in other shops:
Portrait of JennieJONES,JENNIFER; Release date: 2004-10-19; DVD
Best price: $3.99
Price in other shops:
The PatsyRelease date: 2009-11-17; DVD
Best price: $28.98
Leave Her to HeavenTIERNEY,GENE; Release date: 2005-02-22; DVD
Best price: $7.44
Price in other shops:
![Show People [VHS] Image](/images/Show-People-VHS-6301976169-X.jpg){kind=small}
Show People [VHS]MGM (Warner); Release date: 1998-09-01; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Price in other shops:
Similar DVD Movies
The Private Lives of Elizabeth and EssexDAVIS,BETTE; Release date: 2005-04-19; DVD
Best price: $5.79
Price in other shops:
SuspicionTURNER HM ENTERTAINM; Release date: 2004-09-07; DVD
Best price: $5.00
Price in other shops:
GaslightWarner Brothers; Release date: 2004-02-03; DVD
Best price: $5.79
Price in other shops:
The Man Who Came to DinnerWarner Brothers; Release date: 2006-05-30; DVD
Best price: $5.79
Price in other shops:
Mildred Pierce (Keepcase)Warner Brothers; Release date: 2005-06-14; DVD
Best price: $5.79
Price in other shops:
The Little FoxesDAVIS,BETTE; Release date: 2001-09-18; DVD
Best price: $7.23
Price in other shops:
Mr. SkeffingtonWarner Brothers; Release date: 2005-06-14; DVD
Best price: $5.78
Price in other shops:
Now, Voyager (Keepcase)DAVIS,BETTE; Release date: 2005-06-14; DVD
Best price: $5.50
Price in other shops:
Jezebel (Restored and Remastered Edition)DAVIS,BETTE; Release date: 2006-05-30; DVD
Best price: $5.33
Price in other shops:
Dark Victory (Restored and Remastered Edition)DAVIS,BETTE; Release date: 2005-06-14; DVD
Best price: $5.78
Price in other shops: