The Letter (1982) (TV)

Director:

John Erman

Writers:

Lawrence B. Marcus (writer)
W. Somerset Maugham (novel)

Release Date:

3 May 1982 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

The wife of a Malaysian planter kills an employee of her husband one night, but her motive begins to appear not entirely truthful. |

Plot Keywords:

Malaysia | Blackmail | Murder | Trial | Marriage

Awards:

Nominated for Golden Globe. Another 3 wins & 2 nominations

Cast

Lee Remick	...	Leslie Crosbie
Ronald Pickup	...	Howard Joyce
Jack Thompson	...	Robert Crosbie
Ian McShane	...	Geoff
Christopher Cazenove	...	Officer Withers
Kieu Chinh	...	Chinese woman
Wilfrid Hyde-White	...	Judge
Sarah Marshall	...	Dorothy Joyce
Soon-Tek Oh	...	Ong
James Hong	...	Old Man
Molly Roden	...	Warden Larkin
Byron Chung	...	Houseboy
Beulah Quo	...	Ong's mother
Peter Mintun	...	Manchester Club pianist
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
John Orchard	...	Annoyed man

Runtime:

96 min | USA:120 min (including commercials)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Filming Locations:

Chinatown, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Hajeno Productions

Trivia:

Sarah Marshall was the daughter of Herbert Marshall, who had appeared in both the 1929 and 1940 film versions of the story.

Movie Connections:

Version of "Producers' Showcase: The Letter (#3.2)" (1956)

Excellent color remake of the Eagels/Davis classic films.

Usually remakes of classic films containing classic performances are disasters, but this is quite well done. The taut original drama is very well directed with superb tension and Lee Remick gives an excellent performance in the lead. She can stand with Jeanne Eagels and Bette Davis as a fine Leslie Crosbie. This is worth seeking out - way above average for a tv movie.