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The Letter

Play trailer Poster for The Letter Released Nov 22, 1940 1h 35m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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100% Tomatometer 15 Reviews 82% Popcornmeter 2,500+ Ratings
In Singapore, Leslie Crosbie (Bette Davis) shoots and kills a man, claiming that he tried to take advantage of her. She is arrested and her husband, Robert (Herbert Marshall), hires attorney Howard Joyce (James Stephenson) to defend her. During the trial Howard uncovers an incriminating letter that casts doubt on Leslie's story. The two become embroiled in a blackmail scheme involving a Malayan clerk (Victor Sen Yung) and the dead man's widow (Gale Sondergaard).
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The Letter

Critics Reviews

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Adam Kempenaar Filmspotting Like Jezebel, the relationship of the characters to the setting and the people who serve them... is complicated - in problematic ways but in challenging, subversive ways too. Rated: 3.5/5 Feb 12, 2021 Full Review 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. Rated: 2.5/4 Jun 13, 2005 Full Review Josh Larsen LarsenOnFilm This might be one of Bette Davis' least sympathetic parts, which is saying something. Rated: 3.5/4 Feb 9, 2021 Full Review John Kinloch California Eagle Expert direction, splendid performances and an amazing score combine to make this somber picture one of the most satisfying film experiences of the year. Oct 31, 2019 Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy The greatest actress that the cinema has ever had the honor to service is typically terrific. Rated: 3.5/4 Oct 5, 2019 Full Review Aurelio Pego Cine-Mundial The Letter is a movie that provides that personal satisfaction that works of art produce in our soul. [Full review in Spanish] Sep 16, 2019 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Rare T “Because I still love the man I killed.” Nothing can better convey the cognitive dissonance felt and portrayed throughout The Letter. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/04/25 Full Review Efrem M This was a great movie. Very well made. Excellent script. Great performances, specially by Bette Davis. It's a must watch for old Hollywood fans. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/06/24 Full Review harwee h A role only Bette Davis does best. Complex character that is in line with what she's known to daringly play especially for its time. It challenges your sympathy, since the beginning of what transpired/what she did in the beginning wasn't really shown, and the explanations unfolded later on throughout the movie. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 12/19/23 Full Review CL Excellent noir drama. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/06/23 Full Review andy f A good star turn from Bette Davis and a twisty plot with atmosphere make this crime melodrama slightly above average. Hugely overrated on RT though! Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review Martin B Ya know the kind of movie that has lulls where you have to work at watching it. This doesn't have that it's a page turner throughout. Not a Betty Davis fan. I can just see her telling the director to keep the camera tight on her to capture every glance and emotion. Still the result speaks for itself. Davis gets the attention being the brightest star but it wouldn't be the film it is without just a terrific cast and great acting. The tortured defense attorney doing slimy things but not viewed as fundamentally slimy and the loyal husband oblivious, betrayed then resigned. In the end is Davis's character fundamentally evil? I'm not exactly clear on that. The greatest compliment for a complex, conflicted character. One that got her just desserts in the end regardless. Just terrific all around. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 04/21/22 Full Review Read all reviews
The Letter

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Cast & Crew

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William Wyler

Director

Bette Davis

Leslie Crosbie

Herbert Marshall

Robert Crosbie

James Stephenson

Howard Joyce

Frieda Inescort

Dorothy Joyce

Gale Sondergaard

Mrs. Hammond

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The Letter

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Movie Info

Synopsis In Singapore, Leslie Crosbie (Bette Davis) shoots and kills a man, claiming that he tried to take advantage of her. She is arrested and her husband, Robert (Herbert Marshall), hires attorney Howard Joyce (James Stephenson) to defend her. During the trial Howard uncovers an incriminating letter that casts doubt on Leslie's story. The two become embroiled in a blackmail scheme involving a Malayan clerk (Victor Sen Yung) and the dead man's widow (Gale Sondergaard).
Director
William Wyler
Producer
Hal B. Wallis, Robert Lord
Distributor
Warner Bros. Pictures
Production Co
Warner Bros.
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Nov 22, 1940, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Mar 12, 2017
Runtime
1h 35m
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