Average Rating: 8.6/10
Reviews Counted: 9
Fresh: 9 | Rotten: 0
No consensus yet.
Release Date: Jan 1, 1940 Wide
liked it
Average Rating: 3.8/5
User Ratings: 3,344
William Wyler's dark and poisonous melodrama, based on the W. Somerset Maugham novel, features Bette Davis in one of her nastiest roles. The story begins in the shimmering moonlight on a tropical Malayan rubber plantation. Shots ring out and a wounded man, Geoffrey Hammond (David Newell) staggers from a bungalow as Leslie Crosbie (Bette Davis) coldly follows him, pumping the remaining bullets into his body. She later tells her husband Robert (Herbert Marshall) that she shot Geoffrey, a mutual
Jan 1, 1940 Wide
Jan 11, 2005
MGM Home Entertainment
All Critics (13) | Top Critics (1) | Fresh (10) | Rotten (0) | DVD (10)
Prime Bette Davis featuring a memorable shooting in the opening.
The second and best version of Maugham's noirish tale of adultery and murder is emarked by Wyler's nunaced mis-en-scene, Gaudio's lensing, and superlative acting of Bette Davis (surprisingly restrained), Herbert Marshall and especially James Stephenson.
Howard Hawks said that a classic film has three great scenes and no bad ones. Despite its three great scenes, The Letter is no classic!
even a bad Davis movie where she's hamming and mugging and even humiliating herself is more fun than practically no Bette at all.
If there is any doubt that Bette Davis is the star of this film, high above all others, it is vanquished by William Wyler's careful framing of her in every shot.
First-class cinema.
The Letter (1940) is a classic melodramatic film noir of murder and deceit, directed by William Wyler. The screenplay by Howard Koch
A slightly predictable story of blackmail and murder involving Bette Davis. Pretty good movie, but it could be more exciting.
September 5, 2010Super Reviewer
What a powerful performance by Miss Davis in a very unflattering role. All the elements are present for a great motion picture (casting, direction & screenplay) and The Letter delivers in spadesOf note is the presence of Gale Sondergaard as the silent but ominous Malaysian widow who speaks volumes without ever
December 28, 2008
Super Reviewer
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