The Letter (1940)

100% of critics liked it
(9 reviews)
81% of users liked it
(3,387 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) staggers… 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

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Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 35 min.
Directed By: William Wyler
Written By: W. Somerset Maugham, Howard Koch
Genres: Drama, Classics

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1940 Wide
On DVD: Jan 11, 2005
Studio: MGM Home Entertainment

Critic Reviews

Steve Crum, Video-Reviewmaster.com
Prime Bette Davis featuring a memorable shooting in the opening.
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.
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!
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.
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.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
First-class cinema.
Tim Dirks, Tim Dirks' The Greatest Films
The Letter (1940) is a classic melodramatic film noir of murder and deceit, directed by William Wyler. The screenplay by Howard Koch

Read all 7 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

AJ V

A slightly predictable story of blackmail and murder involving Bette Davis. Pretty good movie, but it could be more exciting.
Randy T

What a powerful performance by Miss Davis in a very unflattering role. All the elements are present for a great motion picture (casting, direction & screenplay) and The Letter delivers in spades <center><div style="width:188px;"><a… More
What a powerful performance by Miss Davis in a very unflattering role. All the elements are present for a great motion picture (casting, direction & screenplay) and The Letter delivers in spades <center><div style="width:188px;"><a href="http://www.flixster.com/servlet/embed/photo/link/10851742"><img src="http://www.flixster.com/servlet/embed/photo/10851742.jpg" border="0"/></a></div></center> Of note is the presence of Gale Sondergaard as the silent but ominous Malaysian widow who speaks volumes without ever uttering a word. Yes, this is the same Gale Sondergaard who was originally cast as the wicked witch in The Wizard of Oz before (thankfully) turning the role over to the talents of Margaret Hamilton. Sondergaard's appearance might seem stereotypical and offensive today, but there's no denying her screen presence. Simply brilliant.
Stella D

maybe the best of ms. davis' many fine performances. and one of the best opening scenes ever.
Cindy I

One of the best opening scenes ever! If the rest of the film was as good as the opening, this would get five stars. I don't want to spoil it, but you haven't lived until you see Bette Davis chase her lover out of the house, gun in hand, shooting at him the whole time, and… More
One of the best opening scenes ever! If the rest of the film was as good as the opening, this would get five stars. I don't want to spoil it, but you haven't lived until you see Bette Davis chase her lover out of the house, gun in hand, shooting at him the whole time, and finally emptying the gun into him after he's laying in a heap at the bottom of the porch steps. The best part is how cold-blooded she is -- she never flinches, never for an instant seems to have any remorse for what she's doing. How could the rest NOT be a bit of a letdown? But it's still an OK flick about adultery and blackmail.
jay n

mood piece
John M

Very atmospheric film where the cast is led by Bette Davis, who gives a vivid performance in the kind of role that she seemed born to play. A good noir film.
nefnie l

A movie that starts with a bang, literally.