A Man for All Seasons (Special Edition)
In 16th-century England, the corrupt King Henry VIII (Robert Shaw) betrays the Roman Catholic Church to divorce his wife and marry his latest conquest Anne Boleyn (Vanessa Redgrave). Sir Thomas More (Paul Scofield) is then forced to choose between his principles and duty to his heretical king, who has begun executing the treasonous with increasing frequency. The historically profound battle of ideals also involves Cardinal Wolsey (Orson Welles), Thomas Cromwell (Leo McKern), and More's valiant wife (Wendy Hiller).
Robert Bolt's successful play was not considered a hot commercial property by Columbia Pictures--a period piece about a moral issue without a star, without even a love story. Perhaps that's why Columbia left director Fred Zinnemann alone to make A Man for All Seasons, as long as he stuck to a relatively small budget. The results took everyone by surprise, as the talky morality play became a box-office hit and collected the top Oscars for 1966. At the play's heart is the standoff between King Henry VIII (Robert Shaw, in young lion form) and Sir Thomas More (Paul Scofield, in an Oscar-winning performance). Henry wants More's official approval of divorce, but More's strict ethical and religious code will not let him waffle. More's rectitude is a source of exasperation to Cardinal Wolsey (Orson Welles in a cameo), who chides, "If you could just see facts flat on without that horrible moral squint." Zinnemann's approach is all simplicity, and indeed the somewhat prosaic staging doesn't create a great deal of cinematic excitement. But the language is worth savoring, and the ethical politics are debated with all the calm and majesty of an absorbing chess game. --Robert Horton
Robert Bolt's successful play was not considered a hot commercial property by Columbia Pictures--a period piece about a moral issue without a star, without even a love story. Perhaps that's why Columbia left director Fred Zinnemann alone to make A Man for All Seasons, as long as he stuck to a relatively small budget. The results took everyone by surprise, as the talky morality play became a box-office hit and collected the top Oscars for 1966. At the play's heart is the standoff between King Henry VIII (Robert Shaw, in young lion form) and Sir Thomas More (Paul Scofield, in an Oscar-winning performance). Henry wants More's official approval of divorce, but More's strict ethical and religious code will not let him waffle. More's rectitude is a source of exasperation to Cardinal Wolsey (Orson Welles in a cameo), who chides, "If you could just see facts flat on without that horrible moral squint." Zinnemann's approach is all simplicity, and indeed the somewhat prosaic staging doesn't create a great deal of cinematic excitement. But the language is worth savoring, and the ethical politics are debated with all the calm and majesty of an absorbing chess game. --Robert Horton Stills from A Man for All Seasons (click for larger image) Beyond A Man for All Seasons at Amazon.com 
More Films By Fred Zinnemann | 
More Biographies on Film | 
Utopia by Thomas More |
A Man for All Seasons (Special Edition) Accessories
 The Lion in Winter
The Agony and the Ecstasy
Gandhi (Widescreen Two-Disc Collector's Edition)
Cromwell
Chariots of Fire (Two-Disc Special Edition)
Lawrence of Arabia (Single Disc Edition)
The Mission (Two-Disc Special Edition)
El Cid (Two-Disc Deluxe Edition) (The Miriam Collection)
Ben-Hur
The Scarlet and the Black
A Man for All Seasons (Special Edition) Reviews
How great a country would America be if our Congress men and women had the courage of Thomas Moore. You will need a pen and paper nearby to write all the provoking line from Sir Thomas. . . "If a statesmen foresakes with private conscience for the sake of public office, he leads his county to a short route to chaos." Thomas More to Cardinal Wolsey regarding granting an unlaw divorce to King Henry VIII from his barren wife. Man for All Seasons is one of the greatest movies of all time.
The acting is supurb in this rendition of the story of Sir Thomas More. However the history is very skewed. The polemics between Tyndale and More and very telling and not to More's credit. The Library of Congress had a display about William Tyndale some years ago. More was vindictive and cruel. He may be a saint to some, but I have no doubt where in the cosmos his soul resides now while those he tortured to death are in heaven. Moral values that mattered were only his own.
King Henry does like the queen because she can not bear him a son. Pronounced the marriage of King Henry VIII with Cathrine of Aragon invalid. The Act of Succession asserts Parliament authority to legislate in matters of relgion by denying the authority of the Pope. Moore resigns his Chancellor. An offense that could send a man to the Tower of London.
Moore educates his daughters. Moore is accused of conspiring with Elizabeth Barton, prophecying against the king. Moore believed in rule of law. Imprisoned in the tower of London. The King counsel cross examines Moore and the group concludes his reasons must be treasonal. Moore is charged with accepting bribes. Moore says, this court must construe according to the law. Moore may not have books or see his family.
Moore crossed the King. Moore says his silence is no evidence and he is innocent until proven guilt. The King does not agree with Moores silence. Meg tell Moore, "say the words and say other words in private." If we live in a state where virtue was profit. Cromwell wants to torture Moore into conceding, the rack. Henry is incestous relationship with his brothers wife. Cromwell wants to make King Henry's divorce convenient.
Perhaps, we must stand and be heroes." Meg says, "you have done everything that God can expect.". Moore tells his family there will be no trial because there is no case. Moore aided Cardinal Wolsey in preventing Luthern books from being imported into England. Moore refuses to swear to the Oath. Thomas Moore studied at Oxford.
Thomas Cromwell is the kings advisor. Moore believes an oath is between man and God. Moore wants his family to leave the country. Moore tells Will Roper, he is a Luthern and Heretic and hopefully he will get his head again.
Will Roper, is Moores son in law, married too Meg. Moore's children were Margaret (Mega), Elizabeth, Cicely, and John. Moore's obedience is to divine law and heavenly obligations of heavan and not hell. Parliment had the legal right to declare the Queen.
Moore was charged to write counter arguments in response to Martin Luther's On the Babylonian Captivity of the Church. Moore tells Cromwell that he wrote to her, too mind her own business. The gift was a "silver Italian cup" which Moore gave away to master Rich. Moore says silence is not consent. King Henry charges Moore with treason, a traitor. The movie will not disappoint you. Moore refuses to attend the coronation of Anne Boleyn as the Queen of England.
Moore comes under the attention of King Henry VIII. The courts were corrupt, Kings High Counsel administered the kings will, civil service flooded with cases of the poor, bribes as means of winning; Moore says to Master Rich, "a man shouldn't go where he can't be tempted". "I will play with my grandchildren" "When they find me silent, they will want nothing more than to leave me silent". Moore assisted King Henry in writing the "Defence of the Seven Sacraments." King Henry rejected the claim that he had anything in writing the book. King Henry wants a divorce.
Moore deepened his commitment ot the order and displine outline in Utopia. Woosely names Moore Chancerlor. Moore campaigns against protestantism because he believes heresy is a disease, a threat to the church and society. Appoint one of two under sheriff of London, Moore is Knighted. Moore thinks woman are intelligent, as a man, "A delicate and rare commodity." . King Henry tells Moore, "he will have no opposition". Moore established free speech in parliment.
"Is this wisdom to abandon your duty." The implication is to renounce Roman power. Meg is under oath to pursade Moore to swear the oath. Moore encourage Henry to put away Cathrine. Moore was found guilty of treason and beheaded.
"If you cut down law, do you think you could stand in the laws that blow then." The rule of law was parmount. Luther replied with "Against Henry, King of English". Moore fails to sign the Act of Supremacy that declared Henry VIII Supreme Head of Church of England. Moore's wife is Alice, "a lion that I married.". King Henry thinks lowly of Woosely. Utopia is equivalent to unitarian philosophy, the unitarian social experiment.
Moore says the claims must be factual; objections and swearing are not legal; admissions could lead to have his head cut off. Moore worked in the law courts, his motto, "A fair judgment and quickly". Moore orthodox arguments were that Peter and the Magna Carter authorized Pope and the Church power on earth. What Moores aligence to the King.
Cromwell says, "We must drive these subtle foxes from their covet.". Moore is a friend of Queen Catherine of Aragon. Cromwell says "silence can speak". War against the Church because the Pope will not declare Cathrine is not his wife.
The King wants Thomas Cromwell to force Moore too attend the Wedding of Anne Boyle.
This film shows one man's firm resovle to be true to his beliefs, priciples and the ultimate result of his choice. What is that saying about action speaking louder than words. In other words is a principle right only when it suits one.in this portrayal of the struggle to uphold moral values. Who gets to decide man or God.
A film to watch and then watch again. An excellent movie with, what has to be, one of the best cast of actors in a critically acclaimed success. This film not only provides the audience with great visual backgrounds, a solid script, off the chart actors, but also provides a message that one could only wish were true today.
|
