 |
The Letter by William Wyler
Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada
DVD Cover InformationActor: Bette Davis, Frieda Inescort, Gale Sondergaard, Herbert Marshall, James Stephenson Director: 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 LetterMovie Review: Breathtaking, each and every time... Summary: 5 StarsFrom 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 LetterA 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
|
 |
I Married a Witch [VHS]Warner Home Video; Release date: 1993-01-27; VHS Tape; VHS VideoBest price: $64.45
Down Argentine WayGRABLE,BETTY; Release date: 2006-06-13; DVDBest price: $6.99Price in other shops: $14.98
LauraPublished: 2004; DVDBest price: $11.93
The Red MillRelease date: 2009-06-22; DVDBest price: $17.49Price in other shops: $19.99
NinotchkaGARBO,GRETA; Release date: 2005-09-06; DVDBest price: $9.89Price in other shops: $19.98
Dream WifeRelease date: 2009-06-22; DVDBest price: $17.99Price in other shops: $19.99
Portrait of JennieJONES,JENNIFER; Release date: 2004-10-19; DVDBest price: $3.99Price in other shops: $14.98
The PatsyRelease date: 2009-11-17; DVDBest price: $28.98
Leave Her to HeavenTIERNEY,GENE; Release date: 2005-02-22; DVDBest price: $7.44Price in other shops: $14.98
Show People [VHS]MGM (Warner); Release date: 1998-09-01; VHS Tape; VHS VideoPrice in other shops: $29.98
|
|