RottenTomatoes.com
Log In | Register | What is RT?
RT's Blu-ray HQ
  • Home
  • Movies
  • DVD
  • Celebrities
  • News
  • Critics
  • Trailers & Pictures
  • CommunityBeta
  • Box Office
  • | In Theaters
  • | Opening
  • | Upcoming
  • | Best Of
  • | Certified Fresh
  • | Showtimes
RT Search Powered by Google
help icon Enhanced RT
searches on Google
Click here to turn on enhanced search results from RT on your Google searches.
 
Movies / On DVD / The Scarlet Letter
The Scarlet Letter

Rate this Movie Help Icon

  • Write a Review
  • Read Reviews
  • Add to List
  • Get this Movie
  • Buy Poster External Icon
Bookmark and Share

The Scarlet Letter (1995)

  • T-Meter Critics
  • Top Critics
  • RT Community
  • My Critics
  • My Friends
  • DVD
16 %
Tomatometer
Template ImageTemplate Image

How does the Tomatometer work Help Icon

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]

Get This Movie

Rent DVD
 
 

Click on the "ADD" button to put this movie into your Netflix queue.

 
 
Buy DVD
 
 
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

    • T-Meter Critics
    • Top Critics
    • RT Community
    • My Critics
    • My Friends
    • DVD
     
     
    1 - 20 (sorted by date)
    Text View | 1 2 >> >|
    Arrange By:Fresh | Rotten | Comments | Name | Source | Date
     
     

    “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)
    Text View | 1 2 >> >|
    all

    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...

    See All

    More DVDs

    Close
    Top Rentals
    Tomatometer Percentage Movie
    14% 14% The Ugly Truth
    98% 98% Up
    36% 36% G.I. Joe: The Rise of …
    52% 52% The Taking of Pelham 1…
    45% 45% Ice Age: Dawn of the D…

    More Rentals…

    New On DVD This Week
    Tomatometer Percentage Movie
    32% 32% Terminator Salvation
    44% 44% Night at the Museum: B…
    86% 86% A Christmas Tale
    60% 60% Paper Heart

    More New Releases…

    See All

    RT On Current TV

    The Rotten Tomatoes Show on Current TV

    DIRECTV 358 | Comcast 107 | DISH Network 196 | More...

    Learn how you can be part of the show

    More...

    What’s Hot On RT

    Nine Pictures

    Nine Pictures

    Hottest poster ever? 14 pictures from Nine

    Disney Countdown

    Disney Countdown

    Look back on Disney's best animated movies!

    RT's Gift Guide

    RT's Gift Guide

    Give the best movies, gear, and more!

    Natalie Portman

    Natalie Portman

    See what her 10 best reviewed films are!

    Other News

    Close
    • Top Stories
    • Popular
    • Interviews
     
     

    Comments

     
     
    Top Stories
    Headlines Comments
      
    • No Hobbit Until 2012? Source: The Wrap
    0
    • Don't Hold Your Breath for Hancock 2 Source: HitFix
    14
    • Peter Berg Talks Battleship Source: CHUD
    0
    • Summit Ponders Twilight Finale Source: Variety
    120
    • First Look at Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Source: USA Today
    40
    • Jeremy Renner Talks Hawkeye Possibilities Source: Superhero Hype
    14
    • Todd Phillips Talks The Hangover 2 Source: Entertainment Weekly
    18
    • Tron Legacy Duo Heading into The Black Hole Source: Hollywood Reporter
    9
    • First Iron Man 2 Poster Released Source: Yahoo! Movies
    80
    • Ryan Reynolds Talks Green Lantern Source: MTV
    16
    Popular
    Headlines Comments
      
    • Ban Them All! 10 Infamously Controversial Movies
    99
    • Friday Harvest: The Road, Avatar, and more!
    96
    • 5 Facts About The Twilight Saga: Eclipse
    91
    • Box Office Guru Wrapup: Vampires and Football Break Thanksgiving Records
    36
    • Total Recall: Natalie Portman's Best Movies
    30
    • Weekly Ketchup: Zombieland 2 in 3D?
    28
    • Five Favorite Films with Jesse Ventura
    22
    • RT on DVD & Blu-Ray: Terminator Salvation and a Smithsonian Battle
    18
    • Duncan Jones Reteams With Kevin Spacey
    5
    Interviews
    Headlines Comments
      
    • "I Don't Hate Women": Lars von Trier on Antichrist
    17
    • Eric Bana talks Love the Beast - RT Interview
    11
    • Fight Club Sound Designer Reflects on Film's 10th Anniversary
    21
    • James Schamus talks Taking Woodstock - RT Interview
    8
    • John Hurt Talks Harry Potter, Quentin Crisp and Alien - The RT Interview
    15
    • Terry Gilliam Talks Doctor Parnassus
    22
    • Wes Anderson Talks Fantastic Mr. Fox - RT Interview
    9
    • Wolverine Creator Len Wein Talks About the Film
    28
    • Gavin Hood Talks Wolverine; Possible Sequel
    28
    • Duncan Jones talks Moon, Sam Rockwell, and Mute
    14
     
     

    Sponsored Links

    Around The Network

    • The Scarlet Letter at Rotten Tomatoes

    Fresh Links

    Featured
    Wes Anderson on Fox
    Wes Anderson on Fox External Link

    The director talks about puppetry perfection and his film, Fantastic Mr. Fox

    Animated Oscar?
    Animated Oscar? External Link

    Hollywood.com ponders whether or not an animated film could win Best Picture.

    TIME's Holiday Movie Preview
    TIME's Holiday Movie Preview External Link

    Richard Corliss previews the season's best offerings and hottest tickets.

    Scenic Routes
    Scenic Routes External Link

    The AV Club's Mike D'Angelo airs his beefs with Alfonso Cuaron's Children of Men.

    Promos
    Follow RT on Twitter
    Follow RT on Twitter External Link

    Get the latest Tomatometer updates on upcoming movies!

     
     
    About| Site Map| Help| RT To Go| Contact Us| Critics Submission| Linking to RT| Licensing| Movie List| Games| Celebs List| Newsletter
    IGN Logo

    IGN.com | GameSpy | Comrade | Arena | FilePlanet | GameSpy Technology
    TeamXbox | Planets | Vaults | VE3D | CheatsCodesGuides | GameStats | GamerMetrics
    AskMen.com | Rotten Tomatoes | Direct2Drive | Green Pixels


    By continuing past this page, and by the continued use of this site, you agree to be bound by and abide by the User Agreement.
    Copyright 1998-2009, IGN Entertainment, Inc. About IGN | Support | Advertise | Privacy Policy | User Agreement | Subscribe to RT's XML feed! IGN RSS Feeds
    IGN's enterprise databases running Oracle, SQL and MySQL are professionally monitored and managed by Pythian Remote DBA
    Certain product data ©1995-present Muze, Inc. For personal use only. All rights reserved.