Letter from an Unknown Woman Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A pianist gets a strongly worded fan letter right before a duel and realizes he was kind of a jerk.

🍿 Letter from an Unknown Woman: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A Night of Reckoning

In Vienna, 1900, pianist Stefan Brand prepares to flee the city to avoid a duel. As he packs, his servant delivers a letter from an unknown woman. Intrigued, Stefan begins to read, and the film transitions into a flashback, revealing the woman’s story.

Lisa’s Unwavering Devotion

The letter unveils Lisa Berndle’s lifelong obsession with Stefan. As a young girl, Lisa lived next door to Stefan and was captivated by his music and charm. Despite his obliviousness, Lisa’s infatuation grows into a deep, unwavering love. She even abandons her family when they move, choosing to stay in Vienna, hoping for a chance encounter.

Fleeting Encounters and Lasting Consequences

Years later, Lisa and Stefan have a brief affair. Stefan departs, promising to return in two weeks, but never does. Lisa discovers she is pregnant and raises their son alone. She later marries a wealthy older man for stability but never forgets Stefan. A chance reunion at the opera reignites Lisa’s passion, leading her to abandon her husband and son in the hope of a relationship with Stefan.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Lisa Berndle (Joan Fontaine): A woman whose life is defined by her unrequited love and obsession for a pianist, starting from her youth.
• Stefan Brand (Louis Jourdan): A charming but self-absorbed pianist, oblivious to the depth of Lisa’s lifelong affection for him.
• Frau Berndle (Mady Christians): Lisa’s mother, who tries to guide her daughter towards a more stable life.
• Johann Stauffer (Marcel Journet): Lisa’s husband, a kind and understanding man aware of her past love for Stefan.
• John (Art Smith): Stefan’s silent and observant servant, witnessing his master’s shallow relationships.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Lisa Berndle: “The course of our lives can be changed by such little things.” – Lisa reflects on how small moments can alter one’s destiny, setting the stage for her life-altering encounters with Stefan.
• Lisa Berndle: “I know now that nothing happens by chance. Every moment is measured; every step is counted.” – Lisa’s philosophical observation expressing her belief in fate and the interconnectedness of events, uttered as she recounts her life.
• Lisa Berndle: “From that moment on, I was in love with you. Quite consciously, I began to prepare myself for you.” – Lisa describes the beginning of her lifelong obsession with Stefan, showing the intensity and deliberateness of her feelings.

💰Box Office

• Budget: Unknown
• Domestic Gross: Unknown
• Worldwide Gross: $852

💥 Letter from an Unknown Woman Reviews

Personal Review

I was completely swept away by ‘Letter from an Unknown Woman.’ The movie is so romantic and sad. I found myself tearing up during the scene where Lisa and Stefan are on the pretend train, because she is lost in the dream that it could be real but he only half believes it. The ending destroyed me, it was so beautiful but crushingly sad, and I could not help but wonder if Stefan ever truly realized the depth of Lisa’s love for him. The last shot with Stefan facing the duel after learning that Lisa died for him – gave me chills. The movie really makes you think about the chances that love can be a matter of simple presence and awareness of each other in time and space.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of classic Hollywood cinema”
  • “Lovers of tragic romance stories”
  • “Those interested in films exploring themes of unrequited love and obsession”
  • “Viewers who appreciate elegant direction and visual storytelling”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Themes of unrequited love and obsession”
  • “Mature themes related to adultery and abandonment”
  • “Death of a child”
  • “Illness (typhus)”

Professional Reviews

• The New Yorker: “Ophüls’s masterpiece is a poignant exploration of unrequited love and the destructive nature of romantic fantasy. Fontaine delivers a heart-wrenching performance, while Jourdan perfectly embodies the charming but ultimately shallow object of her affection. The film’s stunning visuals and elegant camera work create a dreamlike atmosphere that lingers long after the credits roll.
• Sight & Sound: “A visually stunning and emotionally resonant melodrama that explores the themes of memory, regret, and the elusiveness of love. Ophüls’s fluid camera work and masterful use of light and shadow create a world of both beauty and melancholy.
• AllMovie: “Max Ophuls’s finest American film is a tragic and beautifully realized tale of unrequited love. Joan Fontaine gives a career-defining performance as the woman consumed by her passion for a callous pianist. The film’s elegant style and haunting atmosphere make it a truly unforgettable cinematic experience.

Audience Reactions

The cinematography is breathtaking.: Viewers consistently praise the film’s stunning visual style, especially the camera work and use of light and shadow to create a romantic and tragic atmosphere.

Joan Fontaine’s performance is unforgettable.: Many viewers note that Joan Fontaine delivers one of the best performances of her career, portraying Lisa with vulnerability, passion, and depth.

Overall Consensus: A visually stunning and emotionally powerful melodrama about unrequited love, praised for its direction, performances, and atmosphere.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Joan Fontaine considered ‘Letter from an Unknown Woman’ her favorite movie.”
• “The film’s visual style was heavily influenced by German Expressionism, contributing to its dreamlike and melancholic atmosphere.”
• “Although set in Vienna, much of the film was shot on studio sets in Hollywood, creating a stylized version of the city.”
• “Director Max Ophüls was known for his fluid camera movements, which enhance the film’s romantic and tragic themes.”

🖥️ How to Watch Letter from an Unknown Woman?

As of October 2024, ‘Letter from an Unknown Woman’ is available for rent or purchase on platforms such as Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV. Check your local listings for streaming availability on services like Criterion Channel or Kanopy, which often feature classic films. You can also find purchase options for DVD and Blu-ray copies on Amazon and other online retailers.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Letter from an Unknown Woman, you might like these similar films:

• Brief Encounter (1945): Deals with the themes of repressed emotions and tragic romance.
• Rebecca (1940): Features Joan Fontaine in a leading role, exploring themes of memory, obsession, and the weight of the past.
• The Age of Innocence (1993): A sweeping historical romance with tragic elements and themes of unrequited love and societal constraints.
• Only Yesterday (1933): Features a letter as central plot element and similar themes of unrequited love.

🛒 Letter from an Unknown Woman Related Products

• Letter from an Unknown Woman (The Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray]: High-definition digital restoration, with uncompressed monaural soundtrack. Special features include a new video essay by film scholar Tag Gallagher, an interview with Max Ophüls scholar Lutz Bacher, and a booklet featuring an essay by film critic Molly Haskell.
• Letter from an Unknown Woman (Stefan Zweig): The original novella by Stefan Zweig, providing a deeper understanding of the story and characters.
• Vienna 1900: Art, Life & Culture: An immersive look at the art, life and culture of Vienna at the turn of the century. Immerse yourself in fin-de-siècle Vienna, which provides insight into the historical context of the film and enriches the viewing experience.
• Letter from an Unknown Woman Movie Poster: A high-quality reproduction of the original movie poster. Showcases the iconic imagery and artistry of the film’s marketing materials.

🎧 Soundtrack

Letter from an Unknown Woman features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Un sospiro” – performed by Franz Liszt
• “Piano Sonata No. 11 in A Major, K. 331” – performed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

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