A mixed‐mode twisted nematic (MTN) liquid crystal cell is developed for both reflective‐mode projection and direct‐view displays. This MTN cell exhibits two times higher brightness and eliminates the parallax problem as commonly observed in reflective displays using a nominal transmissive TN cell. In the meantime, the MTN structure preserves advantageous characteristics of the TN structure such as low operation voltage and high contrast ratio. Confirming computer simulations using Jones matrix method agree with the experimental results well. ©1996 American Institute of Physics.