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

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

    With Demi Moore and Gary Oldman as those 17th century adulterers Hester Prynne and the Rev. Dimmesdale, the movie has its silly moments, but more impressively, it is turgid, the second most prevalent trait of Joffe's films, and long, the third.

    Full Review Source: San Francisco Examiner | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Barbara Shulgasser
    Barbara Shulgasser
    San Francisco Examiner

    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

    The result is merely a big-budget, opulently costumed soap opera that is way too long (two hours, 15 minutes) and way too slow.

    Full Review Source: Deseret News, Salt Lake City | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Chris Hicks
    Chris Hicks
    Deseret News, Salt Lake City

    Roland Joffe's deeply ridiculous movie is caught between rocks and hard places, from its "what were they thinking?" concept ("freely adapted from the novel by Nathaniel Hawthorne") to its muddled execution.

    Full Review Source: Philadelphia City Paper | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Cynthia Fuchs
    Cynthia Fuchs
    Philadelphia City Paper

    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

    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

    Picture yourself trudging out of the theater with a letter "D" (for "disappointment") firmly pinned to your chest.

    Full Review Source: Washington Post | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Desson Thomson
    Desson Thomson
    Washington Post
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

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

    This catastrophic conglomeration of Puritanical repression and modern sensibilities squanders terrific acting talent and sumptuous production values, not to mention a darn good story.

    Full Review Source: Austin Chronicle | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Hollis Chacona
    Hollis Chacona
    Austin Chronicle

    Literary purists will be aghast at some of the liberties taken with the original text, but my complaints have more to do with cinematic misjudgments than with those in the book-to-screen translation.

    Full Review Source: ReelViews | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    James Berardinelli
    James Berardinelli
    ReelViews
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    No review available.

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

    “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

    Though it's unclear what the audience would be for a faithful rendition of the Hawthorne novel, the question of who would ever want to see this one is murkier still.

    Full Review Source: Los Angeles Times | comment Comment
    02/13/01
    Kenneth Turan
    Kenneth Turan
    Los Angeles Times
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    [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

    Pitiful loose interpretation of the Nathaniel Hawthorne novel of adultery and its implications.

    Full Review Source: Cinematter | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Madeleine Williams
    Madeleine Williams
    Cinematter

    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

    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
     
     
    1 - 20 (sorted by rotten rating)
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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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