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The Scarlet Letter (WGBH Miniseries) | 
| Director: Rick Hauser
Actors: Josef Sommer, Meg Foster, Elisa Erali, John Heard, Ralph Drischell
Studio: Wgbh Boston
Category: Video
List Price: $29.95
Buy New: $26.96
You Save: $2.99 (10%)
New (5) Used (11) from $17.00
Rating:  31 reviews
Sales Rank: 14665
Format: Color, Ntsc
Language: English (Original Language)
Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Media: VHS Tape
Number Of Items: 2
Running Time: 240 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.9
Dimensions (in): 7.7 x 4.5 x 2.2
ISBN: 630504886X
UPC: 783421276338
EAN: 9786305048862
ASIN: 630504886X
Theatrical Release Date: April 2, 1979
Release Date: March 28, 2000
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com
In 1979, when most literary programs were being produced in the U.K., Boston public television station WGBH decided to produce a homegrown literary classic for its viewers. The result is this thoughtful four-episode adaptation of Nathaniel Hawthorne's novel The Scarlet Letter. Meg Foster brings a quiet strength to Hester Prynne, the adulteress condemned by 17th-century Puritan laws to wear a scarlet "A" for the rest of her life. As her partner in crime, the Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale, John Heard writhes in private torment most convincingly. Kevin Conway completes this grim triangle as the mysterious, maleficent Roger Chillingworth. The costumes and scenery are simple, so as not to detract from the dialogue as each character grapples with the meaning of sin, forgiveness, and redemption. Students who struggle with the novel may find this video to be a more palatable version of the story--and a more faithful adaptation than the 1995 film starring Demi Moore. The video also includes three behind-the-scenes interludes: a discussion of the set design, the filming of a market scene, and an interview with Kevin Conway. --Larisa Lomacky Moore
Description
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. Stars Meg Foster, John Heard and Kevin Conway. Directed by Rick Hauser. "A completely faithful, totally fascinating dramatization of a masterpiece." - Los Angeles Times "An impeccable rendering... outstanding performances." - TV Guide "Four hours of overwhelmingly enjoyable literate entertainment... an 'A-plus.'" - The Christian Science Monitor "A first-rate production, easily one of PBS' finest." - Today Show An epic version of Nathaniel Hawthorne's enduring novel of Puritan America in search of its soul. Hester Prynne, condemned for a sin of passion, must wear forever the scarlet letter "A" on her chest. Proud, courageous and defiant, Hester chooses to assert her independence, motherhood and love despite the social values of her time. Enduring her public punishment with dignity, Hester grows stronger as the years of her isolation and ostracism pass. Her lover, however, lives undetected in the community, tormented and weakened by the burden of an unexposed sin. And Hester's husband, thought to be lost at sea, resurfaces and coldly plots his revenge.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 26 more reviews...
 The Scarlett Letter July 14, 2008
Catherine W. Fletcher
Thank you for sending "The Scarlet Letter" to me so quickly! I would highly recommend doing business with you, as this is a hard one to find, so I wiil gladly do business with you again. An A+ for speedy delivery and quality of product!
Hawthorn's Scarlet Letter......an interesting metaphor for it's time...... June 16, 2008
R. Incerto (Fishkill, New York)
Hawthorn's Scarlet Letter is well played in this rendition of the TV series. There are many metaphors....the "Man in Black" in the forest, can be interepreted as the "Devil" or simply, the wild, untamed land within. Pearl, being the offspring of the passion and love of Reverend Dimmesdale and Hester Prynne, is herself a wild, untamed child. This, all in a society, set up by men, who wished to create a "Utopia", whereby all people within the confines of this community would be slaves to the Religious laws, the brutal laws, which caused anxt and suffering in this supposed "Utopic" society. Hester Prynne was made an example, so that the rest of the community would shrink back, would never allow their wild natures to emerge, lest they be severely punished or brought to the gallos. Laws made by men, under the guise of "God's Laws" - but who can truly know God's Laws? And were Hester and the Reverend truly sinners? Or were they truly in love, holding deep inside a true passion for each other and a deep love for Pearl. And isn't true love and passion as wild as the forest? As you watch this series, you will see that human nature cannot be tamed, and to do so, is more of a sin than those actions proclaimed as sinful by the mangistrates of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Enjoy!
 It's the right story,BUT the production value is intolerable February 23, 2008
All Red (USA)
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
Recently, I have been reading and viewing Nathaniel Hawthorne's works.I also,though,am very much a part of the film industry,and production value is of utmost importance for my aesthetic sensibilities.So, when I review this 1979 PBS Produced Version of Hawthorne's classic I can say "Bravo" for a novel well adapted, and "Thank God, that Public Broadcasting has come a long way in it's production values since 1979!".Production-wise, this "Scarlet Letter" is simply put LOW,LOW,LOW BUDGET from costumes,to make-up,to set design to some of the worst music ever chosen for a 17th century period piece.This 4 hour mini-series,which follows the book very faithfully, will please on that point (in fact many scenes are directly lifted from the book word for word),BUT (and a very big one at that!) you must endure the rest of the package in order to "see" Hawthorne on the screen,and I am not willing to grant the complete trade-off.John Heard and Meg Foster,are actually quite good and convincing (even though neither is a favorite of mine) as the "adulterous couple" Hester Prynne and Reverend Dimmesdale.Josef Somer, who has been a mainstay for 40+ years in movies and television is awkward,IMO, as Chillingsworth, as well as the actress (forgot her name) who plays Mrs.Hibbens.
You, though,can put a silk purse in the middle of a field of dung,and what you get is a smelly pocketbook.Rent this for interest, but not a recommended purchase UNLESS you are a teacher.Now on to "The House of Seven Gables"
The Scarlet Letter November 21, 2007
V. Henrichs (Casco, WI)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Follows the book really well. Great for kids who are reading the book in English.
This is the novel brought to life. January 23, 2007
Ginny (Ohio)
4 out of 5 found this review helpful
If you want to truly experience Hawthorne's work, this version is for you. In contrast, the Demi Moore version bears little resemblance to the novel. To choose it over the PBS version would be akin to choosing a coloring -book rendering of the Mona Lisa over the masterpiece itself: you get an idea of what it is all about, but all the right colors and strokes are missing, and the drama and effect are lost.
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