Letter from an Unknown Woman (1948)

DIRECTOR(S): Max Ophüls

A pianist about to flee from a duel receives a letter from a woman he cannot remember. As she tells the story of her lifelong love for him, he is forced to reinterpret his own past.

10 Kinolab Clips

Opening Sequence

Concert pianist Stefan Brand (Louis Jourdan) enlists his mute butler John (Art Smith) in helping him evade a duel, and sits down to read a letter from an unknown woman (Joan Fontaine).

Duration: 00:05:51
Timestamp: 00:01:27
Contributor: Eduardo Mendoza

Apartment Music

Lisa Berndle (Joan Fontaine) quietly admires Stefan (Louis Jourdan), eventually sneaking into his apartment.

Duration: 00:10:39
Timestamp: 00:07:17
Contributor: Eduardo Mendoza

Nothing Left

Lisa (Joan Fontaine) leaves her mother (Mady Christmas) at the train station to go back to the apartment and see Stefan (Louis Jourdan) once more before leaving for Linz.

Duration: 00:05:05
Timestamp: 00:19:33
Contributor: Eduardo Mendoza

Linz

In Linz, Lisa's (Joan Fontaine) parents arrange for her to meet Lt. von Kaltnegger (John Good), who proposes to her.

Duration: 00:05:56
Timestamp: 00:24:54
Contributor: Eduardo Mendoza

Noticed

Now working as a dress model in Vienna, Lisa (Joan Fontaine) is noticed by Stefan (Louis Jourdan)

Duration: 00:04:28
Timestamp: 00:32:07
Contributor: Eduardo Mendoza

Ausgang

Lisa (Joan Fontaine) and Stefan (Louis Jourdan) go on a date, with a carriage ride, a "train ride", and dancing.

Duration: 00:10:05
Timestamp: 00:39:03
Contributor: Eduardo Mendoza

A Son

Lisa (Joan Fontaine) gives birth to a son whom she gives his father's name, Stefan (Louis Brand).

Duration: 00:02:12
Timestamp: 00:52:47
Contributor: Eduardo Mendoza

The One on the Edge of Your Memory

May years later, Lisa (Joan Fontaine), now married to Johann (Marcel Journet), runs into Stefan (Louis Jourdan) at the opera.

Duration: 00:06:03
Timestamp: 00:57:41
Contributor: Eduardo Mendoza

The Missing Goddess

Lisa (Joan Fontaine) visits Stefan (Louis Jourdan) at his apartment, and leaves when she realizes he doesn't recognize her.

Duration: 00:09:49
Timestamp: 01:10:49
Contributor: Eduardo Mendoza

Stefan (Louis Jourdan) finishes reading Lisa's (Joan Fontaine) letter, learning that both she and their son (Leo B Pessin) have died of typhus, and decides to engage in his duel with Johann (Marcel Journet).

Duration: 00:06:27
Timestamp: 01:20:33
Contributor: Eduardo Mendoza