A Man for All Seasons (1966 film)

Paul Scofield: Thomas More
Wendy Hiller: Alice Morus
Leo McKern: Thomas Cromwell
Robert Shaw: Henry VIII
Orson Welles: Cardinal Thomas Wolsey
Susannah York: Margaret Morus
Nigel Davenport: Duke of Norfolk
John Hurt: Richard Rich
Corin Redgrave: William Roper
Vanessa Redgrave: Anne Boleyn

A Man for All Seasons is the film adaptation of the life story of Sir Thomas More. The movie was filmed in 1966, directed by Fred Zinnemann and based on the play Sir Thomas More ( Original title: A Man For All Seasons ) by Robert Bolt, who also wrote the screenplay. The film drama reports on the conflict of conscience, in which Thomas More was in when he was in favor of the king forget his religious beliefs and Henry VIII as head of the recognize the English Church.

Action

Thomas More is true in England as one of the fairest and wisest judge. He is Member of Parliament and a confidant of King Henry VIII of this intention with his first wife, Catherine of Aragon, to have the marriage declared invalid in order to marry his mistress Anne Boleyn can. For this he needs the approval of the Pope. Lord Chancellor, Cardinal Thomas Wolsey asks Morus vain to help him to exert pressure on the church. But More's conscience will not allow him to go against the Pope. As Wolsey dies, the king makes him his successor as Lord Chancellor. Finally, the King of Rome says go and makes himself the head of the English church. So he can finally assert his marriage plans.

Morus therefore sets down his office as Lord Chancellor. His successor will be Secretary Cromwell, one of the fiercest opponents of the Catholic Church.

In the film, the moral conflict in which Morus is, thus made it clear that he just does not say anything more. As the new state laws contradict the divine, Morus sees his silence as the only solution. That Morus refused the oath of allegiance to the king, is regarded by Cromwell disapproval. Friends of Morus are still trying to get him to take the oath, but, finally, shows the young civil servants Richard Rich, who had always looked up to Thomas More, the weakness of character that Morus had always suspected behind him, and tells him to Cromwell. Before the state court Morus is sentenced to death. Yet, though he will lose his family, who he loves very much, he still refuses to act against his conscience. 1535 Morus is beheaded in the Tower of London. His last words are, I die as a faithful servant of the king, but above all as a faithful servant of God.

Reviews

" Within such a fantastic scene images such as England could they only offer itself to convey the color and luster of the 16th -century production of the play and with Paul Scofield, Sir Thomas so superb plays and on stage, has Mr. Zinnemann the essence of this drama crystallizes in such a picturesque point of view, even its dynamic abstractions. "

" Director Fred Zinnemann, the so- significant films such as " People on Sunday "," 12 clock noon "and are grateful to " From Here to Eternity ", staged in the sense the author a large character image [ ... ] The shape of his Thomas More ( brilliantly cast with the English Shakespearean actor Paul Scofield ) wins its contours not only by the exemplary downplaying Scofield, but equally by the credibility of his opponent ... "

" Gripping film [ ... ] that makes the soul- and the brave and selfless decision of his heroes prepare credible [ ... ]. Excellent acting performances. "

" The power struggle of both men and their principles describes this opulent, with six Oscars ' unappreciated epic of Zinnemann too magnificent love, but impressive in sharpened and dialogue in the game. ( Rating: 2 ½ stars = above average) "

The Film Review Board Wiesbaden gave the production value the predicate.

Awards

At the ceremony for the Golden Globe Awards on February 15, 1967 at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles to a man could pass through each season in four of five categories, including best film drama, director, screenplay and Paul Scofield as best actor in a drama. As one of the favorites for the Oscars, the historical drama led accordingly to the field of contenders with eight nominations with, behind Mike Nichols directing debut Who 's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (13 nominations ). At the Academy Awards ceremony on April 10, 1967 ( official census 1968) at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium in Los Angeles was A Man for All Seasons lived up to meet and won the Oscar in six categories, including best film, director, leading actor ( Scofield ) and Best adapted Screenplay. This made Zinnemann's work became the most successful film of the evening before Who 's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (5 wins ) and John Frankenheimer's racing drama Grand Prix (3 wins ), which could triumph in the technical categories. A year later, put the period drama continues its triumphant by winning the British Film Academy Award in seven categories.

Oscar 1967

Best Picture
Best Director
Best Actor (Paul Scofield )
Best Adapted Screenplay
Best Cinematography - Colour
Best Costume Design - Color nominated in the categories Best Supporting Actor (Robert Shaw)
Best Supporting Actress ( Wendy Hiller )