<PAGE>   1
 
================================================================================
 
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                              WASHINGTON, DC 20549
                            ------------------------
 
                                 FORM 10-K/A-1
 
[X]   ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE
      ACT OF 1934 (FEE REQUIRED)
 
                  FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997
 
                                       OR
 
[ ]   TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
      EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 (NO FEE REQUIRED)
 
        FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM                TO
 
                         COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 0-27886
 
                      WORLDTALK COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION
             (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                            <C>
                  DELAWARE                                      77-0303581
       (STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF                         (IRS EMPLOYER
       INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION)                     IDENTIFICATION NUMBER)
</TABLE>
 
                            5155 OLD IRONSIDES DRIVE
                         SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA 95054
                    (ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)
                            ------------------------
 
                                 (408) 567-1500
              (REGISTRANT'S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE)
                            ------------------------
 
          SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OF THE ACT:
                                      NONE
                            ------------------------
 
          SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(g) OF THE ACT:
                          COMMON STOCK, $.01 PAR VALUE
                                (TITLE OF CLASS)
                            ------------------------
 
     Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Sections 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the
Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes [X]  No [ ]
 
     Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item
405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the
best of the Registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information
statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any
amendment to this Form 10-K. [X]
 
     The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of
the Registrant, based upon the closing price of such stock on February 27, 1998,
as reported by the Nasdaq National Market was approximately $20,728,704.
 
     The number of outstanding shares of the Registrant's Common Stock, par
value $0.01 per share, on February 27, 1998 was 10,527,790 shares.
 
     Portions of the Proxy Statement for Registrant's 1998 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders to be held on June 12, 1998, are incorporated by reference in Part
III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
================================================================================
<PAGE>   2
 
                                    PART IV
 
ITEM 14. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENTS SCHEDULES, AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
 
(a)(1) Financial Statements and Financial Statement Schedules. The following
       financial statements are filed as part of this report on Form 10-K
       beginning on page 16 under the caption, "Item 8. Financial Statements and
       Supplementary Data."
 
       Independent Auditors' Report
 
       Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 1997 and 1996
 
       Consolidated Statements of Operation for the years ended December 31,
       1997, 1996 and 1995
 
       Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (Deficit) for the years
       ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995
 
       Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31
       1997, 1996 and 1995
 
       Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
   (2) Schedule II -- Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
 
(b) Report on Form 8-K
 
     None
 
                                       
 
                                 EXHIBIT INDEX
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT NO.                            DESCRIPTION
-----------                            -----------
<C>            <S>
       2.01    Agreement and Plan of Reorganization between Registrant and
               Worldtalk Corporation, a California corporation, and
               material exhibits thereto (A)
       2.02    Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of November 12, 1996
               by and between Worldtalk Merger corporation and Deming
               Software,, Inc. (B)
       2.03    Escrow Agreement dated November 12, 1996 among Registrant,
               the Deming Shareholders, Robert D. Dickinson, as
               Representative, and Harris Trust and Savings Bank, as Escrow
               Agent. (B)
       3.01    Registrant's Certificate of Incorporation. (A)
       3.02    Registrant's Certificate of Designation. (A)
       3.03    Registrant's Certificate of Elimination. (A)
       3.04    Registrant's Bylaws. (A)
       4.01    Form of Specimen Certificate for Registrant's Common Stock.
               (A)
       4.02    Third Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreements
               between Registrant and certain investors dated March 3,
               1996, as amended. (A)
       4.03    Shareholders' Agreement dated November 12, 1996 among
               Registrant, Deming and the Deming Shareholders. (B)(1)
      10.01    Registrant's 1992 Stock Option Plan and related documents.
               (A)(3)
      10.02    Registrant's 1996 Equity Incentive Plan and related
               documents. (A)(3)
      10.03    Registrant's 1996 Directors Stock Option Plan and related
               documents (A)(3
      10.04    Registrant's 1996 Employee Stock Purchase Plan and related
               documents (A)(3)
      10.05    Form of Identification Agreement to be entered into by
               Registrant with each of its directors and executive officer.
               (A)(3)
      10.06    Lease Agreement, dated June 15, 1995, between Registrant and
               John Arrillaga. (A)
      10.07    Consulting and Development Services Agreement and Copyright
               Assignment between Microsoft Corporation and Registrant
               dated September 7, 1995. (A)(1)
      10.08    Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement, dated December 15,
               1995, between Registrant and Max Hopper. (A)(3)
      10.09    Secured Full Recourse Promissory Note and related Security
               Agreement, dated October 24, 1996, between Registrant and
               Christopher J. Andrews. (C)(3)
      10.10    Agreement and Plan of Reorganization dated as of November 9,
               1996 by and among Registrant, Deming Software, Inc. and the
               Deming Shareholders. (B)(1)
      10.11    Form of Employment Agreement entered into by Deming with
               each of the Deming Shareholders on November 12, 1996. (B)
      10.12    Amendment to Loan and Security Agreement, dated January 9,
               1997, between Registrant and General Bank (D)
      10.13    Form of Employment Agreement, dated January 23, 1997,
               between Registrant and Christopher J. Andrews, Simon A.
               Khalaf and Sathvik Krishnamurthy (D)(3)
      10.14    Form of Employment Agreement, dated January 23, 1997,
               between Registrant and Stephen R. Bennion, Steve M. Goldner
               and Mark A. Jung (D)(3)
      10.15    Separation, Consulting and Release Agreement dated July 23,
               1997 between Mark A. Jung and the Registrant (E)(1)(3)
      10.16    Settlement, Consulting and Release Agreement dated July 15,
               1997 between Christopher Andrews and the Registrant
               (E)(*1(3)
      10.17    Settlement, Consulting and Release Agreement dated July 15,
               1997 between Steven Goldner and the Registrant (E)(1)(3)
      10.18    Secure Messaging Distribution Agreement between Registrant
               and Security Dynamics Technologies, Inc., dated September 8,
               1997(2)
      10.19    License and Distribution Agreement between Registrant and
               ASCII Something Good Corporation, dated September 8, 1997
               (2)
      23.01    Consent of Independent Auditors (F)
      27.01    Financial Data Schedule
      27.02    Amended Financial Data Schedules for the three month period
               ended March 31, 1997, the six month period ended June 30,
               1997 and the nine month period ended September 30, 1997. (F)
      27.03    Amended Financial Data Schedules for the three month period
               ended March 31, 1996, the six month period ended June 30,
               1996, the nine month period ended September 30, 1996 and the
               year ended December 31, 1996. (F)
</TABLE>
 
---------------
(1) Confidential treatment has been granted with respect to certain portions of
    this agreement. Such portions have been filed separately with the Securities
    and Exchange Commission.
 
(2) Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to certain portions
    of this agreement. Such portions have been filed separately with the
    Securities and Exchange Commission.
 
(3) Management contract or compensatory plan.
 
(A) Incorporated by reference to the Exhibits to the Company's Registration
    Statement on form S-1, as amended (File No. 333-1482) as declared effective
    by the Securities and Exchange Commission.
 
(B) Incorporated by reference to the Exhibits to the Company's report on Form
    8K, as amended (File No. 0-27886) filed with the Securities and Exchange
    Commission on November 12, 1996.
 
(C) Incorporated by reference to the Exhibits to the Company's report on Form
    10K (File No. 0-27886) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
    March 31, 1997.
 
(D) Incorporated by reference to the Exhibits to the Company's report on Form
    10Q (File No. 0-27886) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
    May 14, 1997.
 
(E) Incorporated by reference to the Exhibits to the Company's report on Form
    10Q (File No. 0-27886) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
    November 14, 1997.
 
(F) Filed herewith.

<PAGE>   3
 
                                   SIGNATURES
 
     Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its
behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
 
Date:  April 13, 1998
                                          WORLDTALK COMMUNICATIONS
                                          CORPORATION
 
                                          By: /s/ STEPHEN R. BENNION
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Stephen R. Bennion
                                            Vice President, Finance and
                                              Operations,
                                            Chief Financial Officer and
                                              Secretary
 
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this
report has been signed by the following persons on behalf of registrant and in
the capacities and on the dates indicated.
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                               <C>                                   <C>
/s/ BERNARD HARGUINDEGUY                          President and Chief Executive         March 31, 1998
------------------------------------------------  Officer
 
/s/ STEPHEN R. BENNION                            Vice President, Finance and           March 31, 1998
------------------------------------------------  Operations,
                                                  Chief Financial Officer and
                                                  Secretary
                                                  (Principal Accounting Officer)
 
/s/ WADE WOODSON                                  Director                              March 31, 1998
------------------------------------------------
 
/s/ MAX HOPPER                                    Director                              March 31, 1998
------------------------------------------------
 
/s/ DAVID COWAN                                   Director                              March 31, 1998
------------------------------------------------
 
/s/ ANTHONY SUN                                   Director                              March 31, 1998
------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
                                       
<PAGE>   4
 
                                 EXHIBIT INDEX
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT NO.                            DESCRIPTION
-----------                            -----------
<C>            <S>
       2.01    Agreement and Plan of Reorganization between Registrant and
               Worldtalk Corporation, a California corporation, and
               material exhibits thereto (A)
       2.02    Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of November 12, 1996
               by and between Worldtalk Merger corporation and Deming
               Software,, Inc. (B)
       2.03    Escrow Agreement dated November 12, 1996 among Registrant,
               the Deming Shareholders, Robert D. Dickinson, as
               Representative, and Harris Trust and Savings Bank, as Escrow
               Agent. (B)
       3.01    Registrant's Certificate of Incorporation. (A)
       3.02    Registrant's Certificate of Designation. (A)
       3.03    Registrant's Certificate of Elimination. (A)
       3.04    Registrant's Bylaws. (A)
       4.01    Form of Specimen Certificate for Registrant's Common Stock.
               (A)
       4.02    Third Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreements
               between Registrant and certain investors dated March 3,
               1996, as amended. (A)
       4.03    Shareholders' Agreement dated November 12, 1996 among
               Registrant, Deming and the Deming Shareholders. (B)(1)
      10.01    Registrant's 1992 Stock Option Plan and related documents.
               (A)(3)
      10.02    Registrant's 1996 Equity Incentive Plan and related
               documents. (A)(3)
      10.03    Registrant's 1996 Directors Stock Option Plan and related
               documents (A)(3
      10.04    Registrant's 1996 Employee Stock Purchase Plan and related
               documents (A)(3)
      10.05    Form of Identification Agreement to be entered into by
               Registrant with each of its directors and executive officer.
               (A)(3)
      10.06    Lease Agreement, dated June 15, 1995, between Registrant and
               John Arrillaga. (A)
      10.07    Consulting and Development Services Agreement and Copyright
               Assignment between Microsoft Corporation and Registrant
               dated September 7, 1995. (A)(1)
      10.08    Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement, dated December 15,
               1995, between Registrant and Max Hopper. (A)(3)
      10.09    Secured Full Recourse Promissory Note and related Security
               Agreement, dated October 24, 1996, between Registrant and
               Christopher J. Andrews. (C)(3)
      10.10    Agreement and Plan of Reorganization dated as of November 9,
               1996 by and among Registrant, Deming Software, Inc. and the
               Deming Shareholders. (B)(1)
      10.11    Form of Employment Agreement entered into by Deming with
               each of the Deming Shareholders on November 12, 1996. (B)
      10.12    Amendment to Loan and Security Agreement, dated January 9,
               1997, between Registrant and General Bank (D)
      10.13    Form of Employment Agreement, dated January 23, 1997,
               between Registrant and Christopher J. Andrews, Simon A.
               Khalaf and Sathvik Krishnamurthy (D)(3)
      10.14    Form of Employment Agreement, dated January 23, 1997,
               between Registrant and Stephen R. Bennion, Steve M. Goldner
               and Mark A. Jung (D)(3)
      10.15    Separation, Consulting and Release Agreement dated July 23,
               1997 between Mark A. Jung and the Registrant (E)(1)(3)
      10.16    Settlement, Consulting and Release Agreement dated July 15,
               1997 between Christopher Andrews and the Registrant
               (E)(*1(3)
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   5
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT NO.                            DESCRIPTION
-----------                            -----------
<C>            <S>
      10.17    Settlement, Consulting and Release Agreement dated July 15,
               1997 between Steven Goldner and the Registrant (E)(1)(3)
      10.18    Secure Messaging Distribution Agreement between Registrant
               and Security Dynamics Technologies, Inc., dated September 8,
               1997(2)
      10.19    License and Distribution Agreement between Registrant and
               ASCII Something Good Corporation, dated September 8, 1997
               (2)
      23.01    Consent of Independent Auditors (F)
      27.01    Financial Data Schedule
      27.02    Amended Financial Data Schedules for the three month period
               ended March 31, 1997, the six month period ended June 30,
               1997 and the nine month period ended September 30, 1997. (F)
      27.03    Amended Financial Data Schedules for the three month period
               ended March 31, 1996, the six month period ended June 30,
               1996, the nine month period ended September 30, 1996 and the
               year ended December 31, 1996. (F)
</TABLE>
 
---------------
(1) Confidential treatment has been granted with respect to certain portions of
    this agreement. Such portions have been filed separately with the Securities
    and Exchange Commission.
 
(2) Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to certain portions
    of this agreement. Such portions have been filed separately with the
    Securities and Exchange Commission.
 
(3) Management contract or compensatory plan.
 
(A) Incorporated by reference to the Exhibits to the Company's Registration
    Statement on form S-1, as amended (File No. 333-1482) as declared effective
    by the Securities and Exchange Commission.
 
(B) Incorporated by reference to the Exhibits to the Company's report on Form
    8K, as amended (File No. 0-27886) filed with the Securities and Exchange
    Commission on November 12, 1996.
 
(C) Incorporated by reference to the Exhibits to the Company's report on Form
    10K (File No. 0-27886) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
    March 31, 1997.
 
(D) Incorporated by reference to the Exhibits to the Company's report on Form
    10Q (File No. 0-27886) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
    May 14, 1997.
 
(E) Incorporated by reference to the Exhibits to the Company's report on Form
    10Q (File No. 0-27886) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
    November 14, 1997.
 
(F) Filed herewith.