Performance & Direction: The Letter Review
Last updated: January 25, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is The Letter (1929) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 5.5/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Drama.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Drama is often anchored by its ensemble, and The Letter features a noteworthy lineup led by Jeanne Eagels . Supported by the likes of Reginald Owen and Herbert Marshall , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
In summary, our editorial assessment of The Letter (1929) is mixed. With an audience rating of 5.5/10, it stands as a decent one-time watch.
Story & Plot Summary: The Letter
Quick Plot Summary: The Letter is a Drama film that explores complex human emotions and relationships through detailed character development. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Ending Explained: The Letter
Ending Breakdown: The Letter attempts to tie together its various plot elements. The finale presents its approach to drama resolution.
The emotional climax centers on character transformation, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the drama themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of The Letter reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch The Letter?
Consider Watching If:
- You're a completist for Drama films
- You're curious despite mixed reviews
- You have low expectations and want casual entertainment
Top Cast: The Letter
All Cast & Crew →
Where to Watch The Letter Online?
Streaming HubThe Letter Parents Guide & Age Rating
1929 AdvisoryWondering about The Letter age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of The Letter is 65 minutes (1h 5m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 5.5/10, and global performance metrics, The Letter is classified as a ABOVE AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 1929 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Letter worth watching?
The Letter is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Drama movies. It has a verified rating of 5.5/10 and stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE in our box office analysis.
Where can I find The Letter parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for The Letter identifies it as NR. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of The Letter?
The total duration of The Letter is 65 minutes, which is approximately 1h 5m long.
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How The Letter Compares & Where it Ranks
Critic Reviews for The Letter
This is a superb character-driven performance from Jeanne Eagels as the bored wife who turns from her indifferent husband "Robert" (Reginald Owen) to the caddish "Geoffrey" (Herbert Marshall). When the latter shows her his true colours, he gets his comeuppance and a trial ensues. Provocation bordering on attempted rape is cited and she looks set for acquittal until it emerges that his Chinese mistress is in possession of a letter that might not quite support her version of the story - and she wants £10,000 for it! The production is quite heavily styled, very theatrical without very much visual intensity (the print I saw was really rather dark and gloomy) - but it's the performance from the star that sets this apart. She is enthralling, her stage background helping to provide us with an excellent tour de force that is really good to watch.
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
