Watch The Letter

The Letter is a 1940 American film noir directed by William Wyler, based on the 1927 play of the same name by W. Somerset Maugham. It stars Bette Davis, Herbert Marshall, and James Stephenson. The movie takes place in Singapore, where Leslie Crosbie (Bette Davis) is a married woman having an affair with businessman Geoff Hammond (David Newell). One night, she shoots Hammond when he tries to end their affair and leaves him for dead. The shooting is witnessed by Ong Chi Seng (Sen Yung), a servant in Crosbie's household, who corroborates Crosbie's claim of self-defense.

Crosbie's husband, Robert (Herbert Marshall), a lawyer, takes charge of her defense, but they soon discover that Hammond had recently sent a letter to Crosbie in which he asked her to end the affair. Crosbie had not shown the letter to anyone and had destroyed it, which could suggest premeditated murder.

As the trial unfolds, Robert Crosbie's faith in his wife is shaken as he learns more about her past and her behaviour leading up to the murder. Meanwhile, the British colonial officials are under pressure to show that their legal system is just and impartial, even in a case where a prominent white woman stands accused of murder.

The Letter is a well-crafted drama that explores themes of adultery, loyalty, and justice, set against the backdrop of colonialism and cultural clashes in Southeast Asia. Bette Davis gives a powerful performance as Crosbie, a character who is both sympathetic and morally ambiguous. Davis was nominated for an Academy Award for her performance in The Letter.

The movie was acclaimed for its elegant direction, atmospheric cinematography, and tight pacing. The tense courtroom scenes are particularly effective, highlighting the contradictions and biases of the legal system. The Letter is also notable for being one of the first Hollywood films to feature an Asian actor in a speaking role (Sen Yung).

The Letter was remade twice, in 1951 as The Unfaithful, starring Ann Sheridan, and in 1982 as The Letter, starring Lee Remick. However, the 1940 version remains the most acclaimed adaptation, capturing the melodramatic intensity and psychological complexity of Maugham's play.

Overall, The Letter is a classic film noir that showcases the talent of its director, cast, and crew. It remains a compelling and suspenseful tale of a woman's desperate attempt to justify her actions and protect her reputation, even as her world collapses around her.