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Movies / On DVD / The Scarlet Letter
The Scarlet Letter

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The Scarlet Letter (1995)

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Reviews Counted:32

Fresh:5

Rotten:27

Average Rating:3/10

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

[See More Credits]

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Release:

Jun 4, 2002

[DVD Details]
 
 
  • The Scarlet Letter
  • Sexy Demi Moore (DISCLOSURE, INDECENT PROPOSAL) heats up this powerfully sensual story of illicit love! In a time when adultery is punishable by death, Hester Prynne (Moore) becomes involved in a risky and scandalous affair with her town's handsome minister (Gary Oldman -- MURDER IN THE FIRST). But when their secret passion results in a child, Hester is confronted with the town's overwhelming scorn ... and is condemned to forever wear the scarlet letter "A" as a public brand of shame! A highly provocative retelling of the classic tale of forbidden love, THE SCARLET LETTER combines a sizzling story with exciting stars and delivers must-see entertainment.
  • Source: Buena Vista Home Entertainment.
  •  
     
     
     

    Reviews for The Scarlet Letter

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    1 - 20 (sorted by date)
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    “Freely adapted from the novel by Nathaniel Hawthorne,” the credits say cautiously. I'll say.

    Full Review Source: Chicago Reader | comment Comment
    08/04/09
    Jonathan Rosenbaum
    Jonathan Rosenbaum
    Chicago Reader
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    For all the talent on display, this is a waste of movie.

    Full Review Source: Empire Magazine | comment Comment
    08/04/09
    Empire Magazine

    Rage, love, defiance, confusion, fear -- Moore just sticks out her chin and makes her eyes brim with tears. She's the stolidly immovable object at the film's center, and there's no getting around her.

    Full Review Source: TV Guide's Movie Guide | comment Comment
    08/04/09
    Maitland McDonagh
    Maitland McDonagh
    TV Guide's Movie Guide

    Despite the cast taking themselves very seriously indeed, The Scarlet Letter is a great comic turn, complete with cod-accents and other period jiggery-pokery.

    Full Review Source: Channel 4 Film | comment Comment
    08/04/09
    Channel 4 Film

    A very '90s take on a 1660s tale written in 1850, as a picture of early colonial life it's about as convincing as Pocahontas.

    Full Review Source: Variety | comment Comment
    03/26/09
    Todd McCarthy
    Todd McCarthy
    Variety
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    Not only does the film bear little resemblance to the source novel, but it's cluttered with ridiculous symbolism.

    Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
    06/24/06
    Derek Adams
    Derek Adams
    Time Out

    No review available.

    comment Comment
    08/31/05
    Jeffrey Westhoff
    Jeffrey Westhoff
    Northwest Herald (Crystal Lake, IL)

    No review available.

    comment Comment
    07/07/05
    Emanuel Levy
    Emanuel Levy
    EmanuelLevy.Com

    Oh, Roland Joffé, thy free adaptation of the Hawthorne classic didst produce abudant derisive laughter. Didst thou once direct 'The Killing Fields?'

    comment Comment
    05/19/05
    Dan Lybarger
    Dan Lybarger
    Nitrate Online

    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!"

    comment Comment
    08/31/04
    Nick Davis
    Nick Davis
    Nick's Flick Picks

    If you've read the book you won't know the ending. Let's just say that Indians with flaming arrows come to the rescue. They manage to keep a straight face, which is more than anyone in the audience will be able to do.

    Full Review Source: New York Times | comment Comment
    08/30/04
    Caryn James
    Caryn James
    New York Times
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    A hysterically incompetent camp classic, highly recommended for English department faculty parties.

    comment Comment
    05/26/04
    Rob Vaux
    Rob Vaux
    Flipside Movie Emporium

    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.

    Full Review Source: TheMovieReport.com | comment Comment
    01/13/04
    Michael Dequina
    Michael Dequina
    TheMovieReport.com

    No review available.

    comment Comment
    11/20/03
    Michelle Alexandria
    Michelle Alexandria
    Eclipse Magazine

    Corny, heavy-handed, but definitely romantic, The Scarlet Letter is a mindless piece of historical amusement.

    Full Review Source: Palo Alto Weekly | comment Comment
    05/14/03
    Jeanne Aufmuth
    Jeanne Aufmuth
    Palo Alto Weekly

    [It's] a mess that serves no one, least of all students hoping to get out of having to read the book for class.

    Full Review Source: ArtVoice | comment Comment
    04/28/03
    M. Faust
    M. Faust
    ArtVoice

    The script by Douglas Day Stewart gives new meaning to the phrase "free adaptation".

    Full Review Source: rec.arts.movies.reviews | comment Comment
    04/25/03
    Dragan Antulov
    Dragan Antulov
    rec.arts.movies.reviews

    No review available.

    comment Comment
    12/23/02
    Philip Martin
    Philip Martin
    Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

    This is a well-acted, beautiful movie.

    Full Review Source: San Francisco Chronicle | comment Comment
    06/18/02
    Peter Stack
    Peter Stack
    San Francisco Chronicle
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    A sweepingly romantic and formulaically fulfilling tale set in the oppressively patriarchal and staunchly religious mid-17th century.

    Full Review Source: Boxoffice Magazine | comment Comment
    06/05/02
    Christine James
    Christine James
    Boxoffice Magazine
     
     
    1 - 20 (sorted by date)
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    Latest News for The Scarlet Letter

    March 30, 2009: An Easy A for Emma Stone Opens in new window
    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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