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Movies / On DVD / The Scarlet Letter
The Scarlet Letter

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The Scarlet Letter (1995)

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Reviews Counted:32

Fresh:5

Rotten:27

Average Rating:3/10

Runtime: 2 hrs 15 mins

Genre: Dramas

Synopsis: Roland Joffé'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... Roland Joffé'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. [More]

Starring: Demi Moore, Gary Oldman, Robert Duvall, Lisa Jolliff-Andoh

Starring: Demi Moore, Gary Oldman, Robert Duvall, Lisa Jolliff-Andoh, Edward Hardwicke, Robert Prosky, Roy Dotrice, Joan Plowright

Director: Roland Joffé

Director: Roland Joffé
Composer: John Barry

[See More Credits]

Reviews for The Scarlet Letter

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1 - 20 (sorted by source; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 >> >|
Arrange By:Fresh | Rotten | Comments | Name | Source | Date
 
 

Despite the cast taking themselves very seriously indeed, The Scarlet Letter is a great comic turn, complete with cod-accents and other period jiggery-pokery.

Full Review Source: Channel 4 Film | comment Comment
08/04/09
Channel 4 Film
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

For all the talent on display, this is a waste of movie.

Full Review Source: Empire Magazine | comment Comment
08/04/09
Empire Magazine
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Not only does the film bear little resemblance to the source novel, but it's cluttered with ridiculous symbolism.

Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
06/24/06
Derek Adams
Derek Adams
Time Out
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

No review available.

comment Comment
12/23/02
Philip Martin
Philip Martin
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

[It's] a mess that serves no one, least of all students hoping to get out of having to read the book for class.

Full Review Source: ArtVoice | comment Comment
04/28/03
M. Faust
M. Faust
ArtVoice

This catastrophic conglomeration of Puritanical repression and modern sensibilities squanders terrific acting talent and sumptuous production values, not to mention a darn good story.

Full Review Source: Austin Chronicle | comment Comment
01/01/00
Hollis Chacona
Hollis Chacona
Austin Chronicle

A sweepingly romantic and formulaically fulfilling tale set in the oppressively patriarchal and staunchly religious mid-17th century.

Full Review Source: Boxoffice Magazine | comment Comment
06/05/02
Christine James
Christine James
Boxoffice Magazine

“Freely adapted from the novel by Nathaniel Hawthorne,” the credits say cautiously. I'll say.

Full Review Source: Chicago Reader | comment Comment
08/04/09
Jonathan Rosenbaum
Jonathan Rosenbaum
Chicago Reader

The movie has removed the character's sense of guilt, and therefore the story's drama.

Full Review Source: Chicago Sun-Times | comment Comment
01/01/00
Roger Ebert
Roger Ebert
Chicago Sun-Times
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Pitiful loose interpretation of the Nathaniel Hawthorne novel of adultery and its implications.

Full Review Source: Cinematter | comment Comment
01/01/00
Madeleine Williams
Madeleine Williams
Cinematter

The result is merely a big-budget, opulently costumed soap opera that is way too long (two hours, 15 minutes) and way too slow.

Full Review Source: Deseret News, Salt Lake City | comment Comment
01/01/00
Chris Hicks
Chris Hicks
Deseret News, Salt Lake City

No review available.

comment Comment
11/20/03
Michelle Alexandria
Michelle Alexandria
Eclipse Magazine

No review available.

comment Comment
07/07/05
Emanuel Levy
Emanuel Levy
EmanuelLevy.Com

A hysterically incompetent camp classic, highly recommended for English department faculty parties.

comment Comment
05/26/04
Rob Vaux
Rob Vaux
Flipside Movie Emporium

Though it's unclear what the audience would be for a faithful rendition of the Hawthorne novel, the question of who would ever want to see this one is murkier still.

Full Review Source: Los Angeles Times | comment Comment
02/13/01
Kenneth Turan
Kenneth Turan
Los Angeles Times
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

If you've read the book you won't know the ending. Let's just say that Indians with flaming arrows come to the rescue. They manage to keep a straight face, which is more than anyone in the audience will be able to do.

Full Review Source: New York Times | comment Comment
08/30/04
Caryn James
Caryn James
New York Times
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

For anyone who's ever wondered why Hawthorne left out the mute servants, red cockatoos, and rolls in the proverbial hay. As Hawthorne himself would say: "Ignominious!"

comment Comment
08/31/04
Nick Davis
Nick Davis
Nick's Flick Picks

Oh, Roland Joffé, thy free adaptation of the Hawthorne classic didst produce abudant derisive laughter. Didst thou once direct 'The Killing Fields?'

comment Comment
05/19/05
Dan Lybarger
Dan Lybarger
Nitrate Online

No review available.

comment Comment
08/31/05
Jeffrey Westhoff
Jeffrey Westhoff
Northwest Herald (Crystal Lake, IL)

Corny, heavy-handed, but definitely romantic, The Scarlet Letter is a mindless piece of historical amusement.

Full Review Source: Palo Alto Weekly | comment Comment
05/14/03
Jeanne Aufmuth
Jeanne Aufmuth
Palo Alto Weekly
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by source; UK critics are listed first)
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Latest News for The Scarlet Letter

March 30, 2009: An Easy A for Emma Stone Opens in new window
Emma Stone will star in a "modern, high-school retelling" of Nathaniel Hawthorne's "The Scarlet Letter," penned by Bert V. Royal and titled "Easy A." More...

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