Martin Luther (1953)

Director:

Irving Pichel

Writers:

Allan Sloane (researched and prepared for the screen by), Lothar Wolff (researched and prepared for the screen by),

Stars:

Niall MacGinnis, John Ruddock, Pierre Lefevre

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Niall MacGinnis	...	Martin Luther
John Ruddock	...	Vicar von Staupitz
Pierre Lefevre	...	Spalatin
Guy Verney	...	Melanchthon
Alastair Hunter	...	Carlstadt
David Horne	...	Duke Frederick
Fred Johnson	...	Prior
Philip Leaver	...	Pope Leo X
Heinz Piper	...	Dr. Eck
Leonard White	...	Emissary
Egon Strohm	...	Cardinal Alexander
Annette Carell	...	Katherine von Bora (as Annette Carrell)
Alexander Gauge	...	Tetzel
Henry Oscar
Irving Pichel	...	Brueck

Storyline

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Plot Keywords:

religion | catholic church | reference to martin luther | reformation | liberation | 

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Taglines:

The Man Who Changed the World - FOREVER!

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | History

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA West Germany

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 October 1954 (Sweden)

Also Known As:

Martim Lutero

Filming Locations:

Afifa Film Studios, Wiesbaden, Hessen, Germany

Company Credits

Production Co:

Louis De Rochemont Associates, Luther Filmgesellshaft, Lutheran Church in America, The

Technical Specs

Runtime:

105 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

Version of Luther (2003)

User Reviews

THE BEST DVD VERSION. . .

While there are several VHS and DVD issues of this title, most of them leave a lot to be desired in the way of doing justice to pictorial quality of this fine 1953 release. I'm glad to report that there is at last a decent copy available on DVD -- the 50th Anniversary Edition issued by Gateway Films(their phone number is 610-584-3500). This version comes from the original negative material and is by far the finest you will see of this title -- However, the film does not survive in pristine form. It is in need of a restoration. Until this happens (if it ever does), you will find this issue to be quite fine, with a number of little "Extras" that give some insight into present day sites of events in Martin Luther's life, an interesting biography of how the film came to be made and the special way that it was brought to theatres, as well as bios and photos of the actors and production crew. This films was nominated for two Oscars in 1953, picked by the New York Times as one of the 10 best films of the year, and generally acclaimed by most Christian groups (except the Catholic Church, of course, who considers Martin Luther to be a heretic). I know the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints bought a number of 16 mm prints for use in their seminary programs. The power of this film in depicting the reformation period helped influence the LDS Church into starting its own motion picture department.

To me, Luther's story is an important key needed in preparing the way for the restoration of the restored gospel in these latter-days (which I believe happened when God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ appeared to the young Joseph Smith), for others it will have a different effect -- but the exciting thing about this film is that it tells its story accurately, with great fairness, and has power in performances, words and images. HIGHLY RECOMENDED!