Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Moderate
- brooding
- passionate
- oppressive
- period drama night
- literary adaptation viewing
What critics said
Critics broadly regarded the film as a poorly judged, unintentionally comic literary adaptation whose attractive production and committed performances could not overcome major narrative liberties.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Hester is publicly shamed and forced to wear a scarlet letter for violating the colony's sexual and religious norms.
The Massachusetts Bay setting and surrounding wilderness are presented with an expansive, romanticized period-film style.
Hester and Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale conceal their sexual relationship under the scrutiny of the Puritan colony.
Hester establishes her own household and resists communal expectations before and after her public punishment.
Films like The Scarlet Letter, and why
The Last of the Mohicans
shared historical romance, forbidden love, and lush melodramatic atmosphere
The Age of Innocence
shared period setting, social repression, and passionate romantic conflict
Madame Bovary
shared literary adaptation, illicit romance, and tragic social judgment
A Room with a View
shared historical melodrama, sexual scandal, and oppressive community morality
Movie Details
- Director
- Roland Joffé
- Release Date
- 1995-10-13
- Runtime
- 135 min
- Rating
- 6.1 / 10 (540)
Cast
- Demi Moore
- Gary Oldman
- Robert Duvall
- Lisa Andoh
- Edward Hardwicke
- Robert Prosky
- Roy Dotrice
- Joan Plowright
- Malcolm Storry
- James Bearden
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 Scarlet Letter about?
- A fiercely independent settler confronts Puritan punishment, forbidden love, and a husband's revenge in colonial Massachusetts.
- What is The Scarlet Letter like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Scarlet Letter as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is The Scarlet Letter violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in The Scarlet Letter as moderate.
- What did critics think of The Scarlet Letter?
- Critics broadly regarded the film as a poorly judged, unintentionally comic literary adaptation whose attractive production and committed performances could not overcome major narrative liberties.
- Which films are like The Scarlet Letter?
- Films with a similar feel include The Last of the Mohicans, The Age of Innocence, Madame Bovary, and A Room with a View.
- How long is The Scarlet Letter?
- The Scarlet Letter runs 135 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Scarlet Letter?
- In United States, The Scarlet Letter is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
