The Letter (1940 film)

The Letter is a 1940 American film noir directed by William Wyler, starring Bette Davis, Herbert Marshall, and James Stephenson. It is a remake of the 1929 pre-Code film of the same name, which was based on the 1927 play The Letter by W. Somerset Maugham.

The film tells the story of Leslie Crosbie (Bette Davis), a woman in British Malaya who shoots a man dead and claims it was in self-defense. Her husband, Robert Crosbie (Herbert Marshall), stands by her as her lawyer, Howard Joyce (James Stephenson), works to secure her acquittal. As the investigation progresses, Howard discovers a damaging letter written by Leslie to the deceased man, suggesting a passionate affair and casting doubt on her self-defense claim. The revelation of the letter and the attempts to retrieve it form the core of the film's suspense and moral complexities.

The Letter explores themes of passion, betrayal, jealousy, and the moral compromises people make to protect themselves and their reputations. The film is notable for its atmospheric cinematography, strong performances, particularly by Bette Davis, and its exploration of the dark side of human nature. It received critical acclaim and several Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actress for Bette Davis.