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A Man for All Seasons



A Man for All Seasons (Fred Zinnemann, 1966)
Director: Fred Zinnemann
Writers: Robert Bolt (stageplay), Robert Bolt(screenplay)
Cast: Paul Scofield, Wendy Hiller, Robert Shaw, Susannah York, John Hurt, Orson Welles
Genre: Biography, Drama, History


Synopsis: 16th century England: Sir Thomas More who's a respected lawyer, author, statesman, humanist and serves as Councillor to King Henry VIII, puts his life in danger when he opposes the King's rejection of the Roman Catholic Church. Thomas More's steadfast holding to his religious beliefs stands in the way of the king being granted a divorce and remarriage. A matter of upmost importance to the King, as so far the King has no male heirs, only daughters.

Review: I had seen this before a few years ago and had completely forgotten it. Probably because despite the very dramatic history being presented, the film itself isn't that emotional. That's not a bad thing...The film presents a more intellectual picture of Sir Thomas More and goes into depth with his mental reasoning's for opposing the King wishes. Sir More was a man of deep beliefs and would not budge from those beliefs, even when his life was endangered the film explores his convictions and the man behind them.


Cardinal Wolsey (Orson Welles) has a confrontation with Sir Thomas More (Paul Scofied).

I like period pieces and the story of England's infamous King Henry VIII and his clash with the Catholic Church and Sir Thomas More is the stuff of legends. I thought the actors were well cast in their roles. I would have liked to seen more of Cardinal Wolsey (Orson Welles). I would also have liked a little more detail on why King Henry was seeking to be the head of his own church....The Church of England.

The outdoor scenes were excellent and the old English castles were neat to see. A slower moving film, but with great characters. I enjoyed it.

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