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The Scarlet Letter (1995)
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Reviews Counted: 18
Fresh: 1
Rotten:17
Average Rating: 2.8/10
Runtime: 2 hrs 15 mins
Genre: Dramas
Synopsis: Roland Joffé's adaptation of Nathaniel Hawthorne's seminal novel tells the story of an intolerant Puritan community in the early days of American settlement. In the 1660s, Hester Prynne (Demi... Roland Joffé's adaptation of Nathaniel Hawthorne's seminal novel tells the story of an intolerant Puritan community in the early days of American settlement. In the 1660s, Hester Prynne (Demi Moore) makes the voyage to the New World in order to find religious freedom and a new home for her and her husband, Roger (Robert Duvall). However, Hester proves to be too free-spirited and strong-willed for most of the conservative Massachusetts Bay colony members. She abandons the laws of the colony and sets up a home far from the town square, living by her own rules and setting the townspeople's morals on end. While waiting for her husband's arrival from England, she befriends the town pastor, Arthur Dimmesdale (Gary Oldman), a liberal-minded and passionate man who instantly strikes Hester's fancy. Although the married woman and pious pastor are strongly attracted to one another, the two refuse to give in to temptation--until Roger is reported dead in a violent Indian massacre. When the townfolk hear about the ensuing scandal, they force Hester to wear a shameful scarlet "A" (for adultery) on her clothing at all times--while living as a moral and social outcast. [More]
Starring: Demi Moore, Gary Oldman, Robert Duvall, Lisa Jolliff-Andoh
Starring: Demi Moore, Gary Oldman, Robert Duvall, Lisa Jolliff-Andoh, Edward Hardwicke, Robert Prosky, Roy Dotrice, Joan Plowright
Director: Roland Joffé
Director: Roland Joffé
Composer: John Barry
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Release:
Jun 4, 2002
Reviews for The Scarlet Letter
Oh, Roland Joffé, thy free adaptation of the Hawthorne classic didst produce abudant derisive laughter. Didst thou once direct 'The Killing Fields?'
For anyone who's ever wondered why Hawthorne left out the mute servants, red cockatoos, and rolls in the proverbial hay. As Hawthorne himself would say: "Ignominious!"
A hysterically incompetent camp classic, highly recommended for English department faculty parties.
Love the book or hate it, but no novel deserves the shabby treatment that director Roland Joffé and screenwriter Douglas Day Stewart have given the classic novel.
[It's] a mess that serves no one, least of all students hoping to get out of having to read the book for class.
Latest News for The Scarlet Letter
March 30, 2009:
An Easy A for Emma Stone ![]()
Emma Stone will star in a "modern, high-school retelling" of Nathaniel Hawthorne's "The Scarlet Letter," penned by Bert V. Royal and titled "Easy A." More...
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