In front of the letter

A plantation owner's wife, Leslie Crosbie, is accused of murdering her lover after he threatened to end their affair. Her husband, Robert Crosbie, believes her story of self-defense, but a suspicious lunar festival calendar is discovered, suggesting she might have had ulterior motives. As the truth unravels, the dark secrets and moral compromises of colonial life in Malaya come to light.

The Letter is a classic melodrama that showcases Bette Davis's powerful performance. Critics lauded the film's atmospheric tension and dramatic intensity, though some found its plot melodramatic. It remains a notable example of pre-Code Hollywood filmmaking, exploring complex themes of female agency and societal hypocrisy.

• Bette Davis delivers a tour-de-force performance as a manipulative and desperate woman.

• The film expertly builds suspense and explores dark psychological themes.

• Its exploration of morality and societal pressures remains compelling.

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

Nominated for 7 Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actress for Bette Davis.

The film was based on a 1927 play by W. Somerset Maugham, which had already been adapted into a silent film in 1929. This 1940 version is considered the definitive cinematic adaptation.