The Letter
The Letter

Movie spotlight

The Letter

1929
Movie
65 min
English

A plantation owner's wife goes on trial for shooting a man she says attacked her, but a handwritten letter reveals otherwise.

Insights

IMDb6.9/10
Director: Jean de LimurGenres: Drama, Thriller

Plot Summary

A plantation owner's wife shoots a man, claiming self-defense. However, evidence surfaces that she was having an affair with the deceased. The subsequent legal and social fallout threatens to destroy her reputation and marriage, leading to a dramatic courtroom confrontation.

Critical Reception

The film was a significant success, both critically and commercially, particularly noted for Jeanne Eagels' powerful performance in her final film role. It was praised for its tense atmosphere and dramatic execution of a compelling story.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its gripping melodrama and suspense.

  • Jeanne Eagels delivers a commanding and memorable performance.

  • The film effectively captures the moral ambiguity and societal pressures of its time.

Google audience: Information not available.

Awards & Accolades

Jeanne Eagels received a posthumous Academy Award nomination for Best Actress for her role in this film.

Fun Fact

This was Jeanne Eagels' final film appearance before her untimely death. She died just weeks after the film's release.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

1 reviews
CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

This is a superb character-driven performance from Jeanne Eagels as the bored wife who turns from her indifferent husband "Robert" (Reginald Owen) to the caddish "Geoffrey" (Herbert Marshall). When the latter shows her his true colours, he ...