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The Letter

Play trailer Poster for The Letter 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 Feb 12, 2021
3.5/5
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. Go to Full Review
Jeremiah Kipp Slant Magazine Jun 13, 2005
2.5/4
even a bad Davis movie where she's hamming and mugging and even humiliating herself is more fun than practically no Bette at all. Go to Full Review
Josh Larsen LarsenOnFilm Feb 9, 2021
3.5/4
This might be one of Bette Davis' least sympathetic parts, which is saying something. Go to Full Review
John Kinloch California Eagle Oct 31, 2019
Expert direction, splendid performances and an amazing score combine to make this somber picture one of the most satisfying film experiences of the year. Go to Full Review
Matt Brunson Film Frenzy Oct 5, 2019
3.5/4
The greatest actress that the cinema has ever had the honor to service is typically terrific. Go to Full Review
Aurelio Pego Cine-Mundial Sep 16, 2019
The Letter is a movie that provides that personal satisfaction that works of art produce in our soul. [Full review in Spanish] Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Leaburn O @RT35452347 Sep 14, 2026 Murder melodrama but with a very sinister edge. A good plot and enough good characters to make it a fun watch. Has aged ok. Watched on DVD. See more
bruce C @bruce999 Aug 3, 2026 thought provoking. nicely filmed.... believable See more
Irene M @igawel Mar 17, 2026 Saw this after reading the short story by Somerset Maugham. Glad to see a movie starring Bette Davis and nominated for Best Picture. it was amped up to a film noir and focused on the relationship between her and the attorney, and his moral dilemma. the non-Brits were very flat caricatures. The story was so altered, by Hollywood, and the Hays code, which I read about and learned that "every crime had to be punished". I also watched the alternate ending. Interesting that in 1929 there was both a silent and talking version made, which was common in Hollywood between 1928-30, as theatres transitioned. See more
Alain E @AlainE Oct 29, 2025 I came to this after watching The Unfaithful and reading that it was a remake of this movie. The later movie is vastly superior. They got rid of the Far East location and the evil Chinese and the story became more relatable. Ms Davis is deceased, so I will not cause any injury when I say that mostly I do not like her haughty expression. Here she is very attractive in her visit to Chinatown with her head covered. In this movie the heroine is getting killed while in the later version she is allowed to find redemption. To add insult to injury I had to pay Mr Bezos $3.99 for the privilege. See more
Rare T @RT00283363 Jan 4, 2025 “Because I still love the man I killed.” Nothing can better convey the cognitive dissonance felt and portrayed throughout The Letter. See more
Efrem M @GloryBe Jan 6, 2024 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. See more
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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

The Letter (1940) The Letter (1940) View more photos

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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