The Scarlet Letter

Set in puritanical Boston in the mid 1600s, the story of seamstress Hester Prynne, who is outcast after she becomes pregnant by a respected reverend. She refuses to divulge the name of the father, is "convicted" of adultery and forced to wear a scarlet "A" until an Indian attack unites the Puritans and leads to a reevaluation of their laws and morals.

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.

• 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.

• The Last of the Mohicansshared historical romance, forbidden love, and lush melodramatic atmosphere
• The Age of Innocenceshared period setting, social repression, and passionate romantic conflict
• Madame Bovaryshared literary adaptation, illicit romance, and tragic social judgment
• A Room with a Viewshared historical melodrama, sexual scandal, and oppressive community morality

Director

Roland Joffé

Release Date

1995-10-13

Runtime

135 min

Rating

6.1 / 10 (544)

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 streams on Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads.