Product Description

An adaptation of the Hawthorne classic about a young woman who is condemned to wear a scarlet A on her breast for the sin of adultery earning the ridicule and condemnation of the Puritan townsfolk around her. This production stars Meg Foster Kevin Conway and John Heard (HOME ALONE) and was directed by Rick Hauser. System Requirements:Run Time: 240 mins Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: DRAMA Rating: NR UPC: 783421366794 Manufacturer No: WG36679

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #9402 in DVD
• Brand: WGBH BOSTON VIDEO
• Released on: 2003-03-04
• Rating: Unrated
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: Color, DVD-Video, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 2
• Dimensions: .30 pounds
• Running time: 240 minutes

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

Customer Reviews

The Scarlett Letter
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......
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
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"