Breathtaking, each and every time...
Added 11/23/2009
From the opening gunshots to the final, shocking conclusion, `The Letter' is a stunning and provocative film that never lets the audience out of suspense. With beautifully crafted performances and a stunning script that plays with the audience in more ways than one, this film is one of the best from the 40's, and maybe even one of the best ever.
Draped in crisp black and white, `The Letter' opens with a bang, literally, as Bette Davis's character, Leslie, comes barreling out of her front door firing round after round at a man she would later claim attacked her. On a rubber plantation in Malaysia, Leslie and her husband Robert wait while Howard Joyce (Leslie's lawyer) develops a solid case of self-defense.
The only problem is that not even Howard is convinced of Leslie's innocence.
The film (running only about 95 minutes) runs at a nice pace, never losing steam or meandering at all, and yet it still manages to flesh out the characters very well. This is due to some amazing performances. Anyone who knows me knows that I worship Bette Davis and consider her, quite frankly, the greatest actress of all time. Her performance here is certainly one of her finest creations. With a slick control of her own sensuality, and her commanding presence (she is the true definition of a strong woman) Davis flows in and out of each scene with bravado and precision. Her emotional collapse towards the films end (when her big secret is revealed) is a stunning piece of work. She is not alone here though, for the entire cast really supports her. James Stephenson is beautifully conflicted as Howard Joyce, and Herbert Marshall (he reminds me of a young Russell Crowe, more for his features than his acting style) is beautifully restrained as Leslie's doting husband Robert. A true standout here is Gale Sondergaard, who just sizzles with barely a word as the deceased's scorned widow.
Her eyes are so piercing.
A true stunner of a film, `The Letter' is daring, sensuous and controversial (that final shot) and I love it for all those reasons.
Don't miss this film!
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Bette Davis holds a tutorial. This is how acting is done.
Added 10/30/2009
Not a big fan of Miss Davis. It's mostly hitn'miss.But her ability can't be denied. By the time The Letter is made she has moved out of her ingenue roles into a beatiful women. Not in the the sexual gourgeousness of Harlow, Hayward or Gardner mold, but beautiful nontheless. Her range in this movie alone is tremendous. She plays Leslie, wife of a rubber plantation owner. That she shot another man while alone in her home, is not in dispute. That scene is done in dramatic fashion early in the movie. Was it self defense? Her husband (Herbert Marshall) & lawyer Howard (James Stephenson) belive it is a slam-dunk acquittal. Then a letter in her own hand to the man she shot emerges. As best it is ambigous. At worst it indicates they were long time lovers. He is also married & was at her home that night to break it off. Everything she has said up to this point was a lie. Her husband spends his last cent & her lawyer who also has a crush on her do their best to supress the letter. With a bitter taste in everyone's mouth she is aquitted. However, it is not a spoiler to know that in movies of the era there could not be an ending in which bad deed goes unpunished. Thie movie was up for numerous awards & with William Wyler's expert direction rightfully so.
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The Letter
Added 10/25/2009
I've just watched THE LETTER on TCM. It's the best film noir movie I've seen. and I have to have it. Believe the reviews, it is a stunning film.
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"My Baby, She Wrote Me a Letter. . ." The Boxtops
Added 8/4/2009
We see the dramatic noir scenes of Bette descending the staircase of the plantation house. When we finally get a close-up, I realize the year the movie was probably made. My mother wore that exact hairstyle in the years 39-41, as is evidenced by many family photographs. I am in love with the exotic cinematography of this film. Again there are blades of light coming through louvres and casting upon faces and mysterious forms. I am also delighted by the tinkling of wind chimes and the moody soundtrack, sometimes big band-y and sometimes oriental in theme. Our "totally innocent Bette" has surprises laying beneath the surface and she releases these gradually, dramatically and beautifully. "What charge would that be?" She asks her attorney casually. He drops the bomb: "Murder." It would have all turned out okay if she had not found it necessary to empty the entire gun. That would tend to raise some questions about self-defense vs. anger and jealosy as a motive. The answer to all the puzzles is in "the letter." Gale Sondergaard is perfect as the wronged woman. Even though she is the wronged one, she personifies evil so well onscreen. What other gems has she done this in? (I believe Homicidal was one but there are many more) As sad as it is, and as desperate as she is for revenge, she has the where-with-all to get the money, too. She sees to it that Miss Priss will not interfere in another marriage. There have been many adaptations of Wm. Somerset Maugham's great story, "The Letter," but this is probably the best. As for the lace? "A stitch in time, saves nine."
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THE LETTER
Added 6/15/2009
THANK YOU, THE TAPE PLAYS FINE, JACKET IS CLEAN, I AM VERY PLEASED, YOUR AD WAS TRUTHFUL.
SATISFIED CUSTOMER,
DJKAY
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