Scarlet Letter cover art

Scarlet Letter Details

1995 Certificate 15
  • Rated:
  • 60
  • from 737 members

Roland Joffe'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)... Read more

Starring Demi Moore, Gary Oldman, Robert Duvall, Robert Prosky
Director Roland Joffe
Genres Drama, Romance

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Scarlet Letter cover art

Scarlet Letter

Roland Joffe'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.

Starring Demi Moore, Gary Oldman, Robert Duvall, Robert Prosky, Edward Hardwicke
Director Roland Joffe
Studio Entertainment In Video
Certificate Certificate 15
Genres Drama, Romance
Language DVD: English
Released DVD: 03 May 2004
Production year: 1995
Format DVD

  • Critics' reviews (2) of Scarlet Letter

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  • 4 stars out of 5

    Despite headlining many a DW Griffith classic, Lillian Gish gives here what many regard as her finest performance. Already the fifth screen version of Nathaniel Hawthorne's 1850 novel, this is by far the finest adaptation of any era. With Hendrik Sartov's photography bringing a painterly austerity to the already puritanical setting, Hester Prynne's adultery with Pastor Dimmesdale assumes a social enormity that is often disregarded by those concentrating on the story's human aspects. Yet, exhibiting typical Swedish cinematic severity, director Victor Sjöström is not blind to the lyrical tragedy of the couple's disgrace, as he locates beauty and sensitivity amid the bigotry.

    • Radio Times
    • Posted 29 Jan 2006

  • Hilariously bad period drama, loosely based on Hawthorne's original, with little sense of history or decorum; it respresents Hollywood at its most crass and unthinking.

    • Halliwell's Film Guide
    • Posted 02 Mar 2006

  • Most helpful member's review of Scarlet Letter

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  • 14 out of 15 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 4 stars

    When intimacy is forbidden and passion is a sin, love is the most defiant crime of all.

    In 1666 in the Massachusetts Bay colony, Puritans and Algonquian have an uneasy truce. Hester Pryne arrives from England, seeking independence and causes lots of problems.

    Very loosely based on the novel by Nathaniel Hawthorne (he also wrote Last of the Mohicans) in short, this film was critically panned by just about everyone and it flopped BIG time at the cinema.

    However, i really enjoyed it, Robert Duvall is great as the nasty man of the film, and Gary Oldman shows off his excellent monologue skills. My only criticism would be Demi Moore's overly feminist character acting (she seems to have forgotten it's only 1666). Other people i know who've seen it say it was too slow, but if you want a non-action, romantic drama film i think it's worthwhile giving a go although i'll admit to being in the minority on this one!

      • Kristian from Devon
      • Posted 18 Aug 2004 18:56

  • Most recent members' review of Scarlet Letter

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  • 3 out of 3 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 3 stars

    So this is where the sex discrimination act started.

    An unusual role for Ms Moore. Set in the New world of America, but actually filmed in Shelburne, Nova Scotia (thats Canada)a lot of which still looks much like this today! See Lonely Planet for details. Beautiful period settings and a peep into the era of religeous zealots and fear of witches. Gary Oldman is excellent and even the delightful Joan Plowright has a part. An OK view.

      • A customer from Hampshire
      • Posted 09 Nov 2005 09:12

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Rating breakdown

737 Member ratings
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54
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41
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81
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106
  • 60
150
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93
  • 40
82
  • 30
58
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45
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      • Roland Joffe'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) ...