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The Scarlet Letter DVD

$29.95
5 Reviews Write a Review
Item #: WC4232
An epic version of Nathaniel Hawthorne's enduring novel of Puritan America in search of its soul. Hester Prynne overcomes the stigma of adultery to emerge as the first great heroine in American literature. Hawthorne's themes--the nature of sin, social hypocrisy, and community repression--still reverberate through American society. Special video segments that take viewers behind-the-scenes on the filming of The Scarlet ... More
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An epic version of Nathaniel Hawthorne's enduring novel of Puritan America in search of its soul. Hester Prynne overcomes the stigma of adultery to emerge as the first great heroine in American literature. Hawthorne's themes--the nature of sin, social hypocrisy, and community repression--still reverberate through American society.

Special video segments that take viewers behind-the-scenes on the filming of The Scarlet Letter

Select cast filmographies

Hawthorne biography

Discussion questions for educators

Producer: WGBH
Production Year: 2003
Copyright Year: 1979
Director: Rick Hauser
Actors: Kevin Conway, John Heard, Meg Foster
Discs: 2
Audio Format: Stereo
Aspect Ratio: 4x3 Full Screen

5 Reviews
N
Noah
Verified Buyer
5.0 star rating
08/16/22
A true classic!
Review by Noah on 08/16/22 review stating A true classic!
A true classic!
S
Sherry D.
Verified Reviewer
5.0 star rating
12/07/20
Definitive version to date
Review by Sherry D. on 12/07/20 review stating Definitive version to date
Hawthornes novel is an internal psychological drama that does not readily lends itself to film, so the fact that this TV mini-series achieves translating the book to film is quite an achievement. It remains faithful to Hawthornes novel and is engrossing cinematically as well. Nothing before or since this 1979 series has come close to realizing the greatest of Hawthornes masterpiece. The acting is excellent; Meg Foster, in particular, really does seem to channel Hesters inner anguish. Kevin Conway as Chillingworth and John Heard as Dimmesdale also deliver strong performances. The beautiful rock-ladened shoreline scenes are really evocative of Hawthornes novel and themes. As a great fan of Hawthornes novel, this is the only version I would recommend.
K
Kld
Anonymous User
5.0 star rating
11/01/20
Error on production date?
Review by Kld on 11/01/20 review stating Error on production date?
I recall the 1979 version from WGBH Boston. Is this 2003 production simply the redo on DVD? If it is the 1979 version, then it gets 5 starts. This made the 1995 Hollywood flick look like a useless gesture, since the 1995 was a bomb! The reference to 2003 is confusing.
J
J
Anonymous User
5.0 star rating
09/05/20
The Scarlet Letter
Review by J on 09/05/20 review stating The Scarlet Letter
I cant imagine a better version of this classic story. The actors are terrific, the scenery is beautiful, and the music is memorable. I loved watching it in 1979, and I was so happy to find it again. Ive watched it twice in 2 weeks.
R
Rms
Anonymous User
2.0 star rating
07/17/20
Need remake
Review by Rms on 07/17/20 review stating Need remake
Story needs update. Movie not clear hard to hear, Book is good. But too much wasted chatter, too jumpy in plot. Start is unclear. I am no expert.

Highlighted Customer Reviews

J
J reviewed The Scarlet Letter DVD
5 star rating
The Scarlet Letter
Review by J review stating The Scarlet Letter
I cant imagine a better version of this classic story. The actors are terrific, the scenery is beautiful, and the music is memorable. I loved watching it in 1979, and I was so happy to find it again. Ive watched it twice in 2 weeks.
K
Kld reviewed The Scarlet Letter DVD
5 star rating
Error on production date?
Review by Kld review stating Error on production date?
I recall the 1979 version from WGBH Boston. Is this 2003 production simply the redo on DVD? If it is the 1979 version, then it gets 5 starts. This made the 1995 Hollywood flick look like a useless gesture, since the 1995 was a bomb! The reference to 2003 is confusing.
S
Sherry D. reviewed The Scarlet Letter DVD
5 star rating
Definitive version to date
Review by Sherry D. review stating Definitive version to date
Hawthornes novel is an internal psychological drama that does not readily lends itself to film, so the fact that this TV mini-series achieves translating the book to film is quite an achievement. It remains faithful to Hawthornes novel and is engrossing cinematically as well. Nothing before or since this 1979 series has come close to realizing the greatest of Hawthornes masterpiece. The acting is excellent; Meg Foster, in particular, really does seem to channel Hesters inner anguish. Kevin Conway as Chillingworth and John Heard as Dimmesdale also deliver strong performances. The beautiful rock-ladened shoreline scenes are really evocative of Hawthornes novel and themes. As a great fan of Hawthornes novel, this is the only version I would recommend.
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