The Scarlet Letter (1926) Director: Victor Sjöström Studio: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) Starring: Lillian Gish, Lars Hanson, Henry B. Walthall Release Date: March 6, 1926 Runtime: 96 minutes Format: Black & White | Silent | Intertitles | Drama | Romance Country: United States Language: Silent (English intertitles) Genres: Drama | Romance | Literary Adaptation | Silent Film Summary: The Scarlet Letter is a silent film adaptation of Nathaniel Hawthorne’s classic novel set in 17th-century Puritan Massachusetts. The story follows Hester Prynne (Lillian Gish), a woman who bears an illegitimate child and is publicly shamed by being forced to wear the scarlet letter “A” on her chest. As she endures social ostracism, her secret lover, Reverend Dimmesdale (Lars Hanson), struggles with guilt and the burden of concealment. The film explores themes of sin, redemption, and the harshness of societal judgment through evocative visuals, expressive acting, and faithful adaptation of Hawthorne’s moral tale. Background: Directed by Swedish master Victor Sjöström, The Scarlet Letter is noted for its high production values and artistic cinematography. It was one of the last major silent literary adaptations before the advent of sound films. Lillian Gish, one of the era’s greatest silent film actresses, delivers a nuanced and powerful performance as Hester, balancing strength and vulnerability. The film captures the bleakness of Puritan society and the inner turmoil of its characters with poetic imagery. Trivia: Victor Sjöström (credited as Victor Seastrom) was a pioneer of Swedish and American silent cinema. The film is preserved in the U.S. National Film Registry for its cultural, historical, and aesthetic significance. Lillian Gish’s performance was praised for its emotional depth and subtlety, influencing generations of actresses. Filmed at MGM studios with elaborate period costumes and sets to recreate colonial New England. The film uses innovative visual symbolism to express themes of guilt and isolation. A later sound adaptation starring Hedy Lamarr was released in 1934, but this silent version remains a classic. Hashtags: #TheScarletLetter #LillianGish #VictorSjöström #SilentFilm #ClassicLiterature #NathanielHawthorne #MGMStudios #1920sCinema #LiteraryAdaptation #SilentDrama #FilmHistory #NationalFilmRegistry #PeriodDrama #ClassicHollywood #AmericanSilentCinema