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The Scarlet Letter (1995 film)
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The Scarlet Letter is the 1995 film version of the classic Nathaniel Hawthorne novel, The Scarlet Letter. It was directed by Roland Joffé and stars Gary Oldman and Demi Moore. This version was "freely adapted" from Hawthorne (according to the opening credits) and deviated from the original story with the addition of Mituba, a character based on Tituba from The Crucible, and a happy ending. The film was a box office failure and was poorly received by critics.
Principal Cast
Demi Moore - Hester Prynne
Gary Oldman - Rev. Arthur Dimmesdale
Robert Duvall - Roger Chillingworth
Eric Schweig - Metacomet
Amy Wright - Goody Gotwick
Plot
In the Massachusetts Bay colony in 1666, there is an uneasy truce between Puritans and Algonquian. Seeking independence, Hester arrives overseas from England. As she awaits her husband, she finds independence; befriending Quakers and setting up a home. As time passes she falls for a young pastor, who feels the same way about her. When they hear the news that her husband has most likely been killed by Indians, they engage in a relationship. She has a child, and Hester is publicly humiliated by being forced to wear a scarlet "A" for adultery; for on the same day, her husband reappears, with indians, after a year's absence. Going by the name of "Chillingworth", he stirs fears of witchcraft, while seeking out Hester's love in order to extract his revenge.
Filming locations
Shelburne, Nova Scotia waterfront showing grey paint finishes applied for the 1994 film.
The film was shot in British Columbia near Vancouver and in Shelburne, Nova Scotia in 1994. In Shelburne, the waterfront area was substantially altered to resemble a Puritan New England town in the mid 1600s. Some of the buildings on Dock Street retain the grey-tone paint finishes used for the film.
Reception
The film was panned by critics.[1] It won the Golden Raspberry Award for worst remake or sequel and was nominated for worst actress (Moore), worst director, worst picture, worst screen couple (Moore and either Duvall or Oldman), worst screenplay and worst supporting actor (Duvall).[2] It was also a box office bomb, grossing only £10.3 million despite a $50 million budget.[3]
References
External links
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