The Letter (1940)
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100% of critics liked it
(9 reviews) -
81% of users liked it
(3,484 ratings)
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)… More 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 friend, because he was drunk and tried to take advantage of her. Robert, who owns the plantation, believes her story and hires high-powered lawyer Howard Joyce (James Stephenson) to defend her. But then a letter surfaces in which it is revealed that Leslie had invited Geoffrey to the plantation on the night of his murder. When Howard confronts her with the letter, Leslie admits writing it and implies that she and Geoffrey were lovers. Howard, nevertheless, agrees to continue defending her; he explains to Leslie, "I won't tell you what I personally thought when I read the letter. It's the duty of counsel to defend his client, not to convict her even in his own mind. I don't want you to tell me anything but what is needed to save your neck." Meanwhile, the letter becomes the object of a $10,000 blackmail scheme from Geoffrey's widow (Gale Sondergaard). ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi
- Directed By
- William Wyler
- Written By
- W. Somerset Maugham, Howard Koch
- Genres
- Drama, Classics
PG,
- In Theaters
- Jan 1, 1940 Wide
- Studio
- MGM Home Entertainment
Critic Reviews
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Steve Crum, Video-Reviewmaster.com
Prime Bette Davis featuring a memorable shooting in the opening.
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Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
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.
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Jeremiah Kipp, Slant Magazine
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!
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Jeremiah Kipp, Slant Magazine
even a bad Davis movie where she's hamming and mugging and even humiliating herself is more fun than practically no Bette at all.
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Matt Bailey, Not Coming to a Theater Near You
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.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Bette Davis
as Leslie Crosbie
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Herbert Marshall
as Robert Crosbie
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James Stephenson
as Howard Joyce
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Frieda Inescort
as Dorothy Joyce
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Gale Sondergaard
as Mrs. Hammond
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Victor Sen Yung
as Ong Chi Seng
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Elizabeth Earl
as Adele Ainsworth
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Cecil Kellaway
as Prescott
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Doris Lloyd
as Mrs. Cooper
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Willie Fung
as Chung Hi
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Tetsu Komai
as Head Boy
- Roland Got
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Holmes Herbert
as Bob's Friend
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Charles Irwin
as Bob's Friend
- Lillian Kemble-Cooper
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Bruce Lister
as John Withers
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Leonard Mudie
as Fred
- Ottola Nesmith
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David Newell
as Geoffrey Hammond
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John Ridgely
as Driver
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Douglas Walton
as Well-Wisher
- Bruce Lester
- Elizabeth Inglis
