The Letter

A conflicted missionary wife in colonial Malaya in the 1930s murders her lover and attempts to cover it up with the help of her husband. As the investigation unfolds, the wife's web of deceit begins to unravel, exposing the dark secrets lurking beneath the veneer of respectability.

William Friedkin's adaptation of W. Somerset Maugham's classic novella received a mixed to negative reception. While some praised the film's atmospheric tension and Lee Remick's performance, many critics found the narrative melodramatic and the characters underdeveloped. It failed to make a significant impact at the box office or garner major awards.

• Praised for its atmospheric setting and compelling lead performance.

• Criticized for its melodramatic tone and underdeveloped supporting characters.

• Found to be a less successful adaptation compared to previous versions.

Google audience: Audience reception information for this film is not readily available through Google reviews.

This was William Friedkin's first film after his massive success with 'The Exorcist' and was a significant departure in tone and subject matter.