Overview
A gripping tale of deception and moral ambiguity unfolds in the heart of colonial Singapore.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Moderate
- sultry
- foreboding
- psychologically tense
- classic cinema night
- film noir marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly regard William Wyler's film as a superbly crafted, taut melodrama elevated by Bette Davis, James Stephenson, atmospheric black-and-white cinematography, and assured direction, despite reservations about its grimness and constrained ending.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The opening montage of moonlit clouds, dripping rubber trees, sleeping workers, and gunfire establishes a sultry, ominous visual world.
Leslie Crosbie's poise and gracious public manner persuade her husband and officials while her murder claim comes under scrutiny.
The letter held by Leslie becomes the central piece of evidence capable of undermining her self-defense story.
The Singapore plantation setting places the accused woman, district authorities, and resentful local population within a sharply stratified colonial society.
Films like The Letter, and why
Double Indemnity
shared film noir atmosphere, morally compromised protagonist, and murder-driven melodrama
Mildred Pierce
shared femme fatale dynamics, psychological tension, and classic crime melodrama
The Shanghai Express
shared colonial setting, romantic betrayal, and shadowy moral ambiguity
The Postman Always Rings Twice
shared Hays Code-era crime narrative, courtroom pressure, and concealed guilt
Movie Details
- Director
- William Wyler
- Release Date
- 1940-11-21
- Runtime
- 95 min
- Rating
- 7.3 / 10 (254)
Cast
- Bette Davis
- Herbert Marshall
- James Stephenson
- Frieda Inescort
- Gale Sondergaard
- Bruce Lester
- Elizabeth Inglis
- Cecil Kellaway
- Victor Sen Yung
- Doris Lloyd
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Letter about?
- A poised plantation wife turns a claimed act of self-defense into a suffocating battle against evidence, suspicion, and her own concealed motives.
- What is The Letter like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Letter as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is The Letter violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in The Letter as moderate.
- What did critics think of The Letter?
- Critics broadly regard William Wyler's film as a superbly crafted, taut melodrama elevated by Bette Davis, James Stephenson, atmospheric black-and-white cinematography, and assured direction, despite reservations about its grimness and constrained ending.
- Which films are like The Letter?
- Films with a similar feel include Double Indemnity, Mildred Pierce, The Shanghai Express, and The Postman Always Rings Twice.
- How long is The Letter?
- The Letter runs 95 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Letter?
- In United States, The Letter is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
