Ok I watched this film in the 11th grade and just as we get the scene of him branding himself we had to go to lunch. When we got back we some how managed to fast forward and I can't seem to recall what exactly Rev. Dimmesdale branded on his arm? Was it a letter to match Hester's or something else?
The clock is ticking and I'm watching the hand go around.
I don't remember anything being branded on his arm. I think you are talking about a branding on his chest. It was implied that Dimmesdale had a letter A branded on his chest, which is why he always holds his heart. They never actually show it in the movie because in the novel it was said that there was a question about whether Dimmesdale had a letter or not. Hawthorne said that it could have been a rumor spread by the townspeople. So we never know for sure or not. Hope that helped.
sharei doubt you're still around... you asked the question about two months ago... but i'll try and answer anyways! the branding was on his chest not his arm, and it wasn't a "branding"-- it was supposed to be an "A" similar to hester's... though the audience never sees it. i guess you can say his "guilt" put it there.
as you can see, we just watched the movie today in class, the last hour of it anyways.
~ "...Yes, the lectures are optional. Graduation is also optional." ~
I think the mark put on his heart is meant to be figurative not actual. The only 'branding' I recall in this production was the collection of lash welts and scars (shown on his back and shoulders) he administered by flogging himself with what looked like a cat o' nine tails to punish himself or purge himself of sin.
...........Hate is the essence of weakness in the human mind...........