Luther (2003)

User Rating:

6.9/10   

Director:

Eric Till

Writers (WGA):

Camille Thomasson (written by) and
Bart Gavigan (written by)

Release Date:

30 October 2003 (Germany)

Genre:

Biography | Drama | History

Tagline:

Rebel. Genius. Liberator.

Plot:

During the early 16th Century idealistic German monk Martin Luther, disgusted by the materialism in the church, begins the dialogue that will lead to the Protestant Reformation.

Plot Keywords:

Prince | Monk | Priest | Rome | Martin Luther

Awards:

4 wins & 1 nomination

Cast

Joseph Fiennes	...	Martin Luther
Jonathan Firth	...	Girolamo Aleander
Alfred Molina	...	Johann Tetzel
Claire Cox	...	Katharina von Bora
Peter Ustinov	...	Frederick the Wise (as Sir Peter Ustinov)
Bruno Ganz	...	Johann von Staupitz
Uwe Ochsenknecht	...	Pope Leo X
Mathieu Carrière	...	Cardinal Jacob Cajetan
Benjamin Sadler	...	Georg Spalatin
Jochen Horst	...	Professor Andreas Karlstadt
Torben Liebrecht	...	Emperor Charles V
Maria Simon	...	Hanna
Lars Rudolph	...	Philip Melanchthon
Marco Hofschneider	...	Ulrich
Christopher Buchholz	...	Von der Eck

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for disturbing images of violence.

Runtime:

123 min

Country:

Germany

Language:

English | Latin

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Philippines:PG-13 | Sweden:11 | South Korea:12 | Argentina:13 | Australia:M | Brazil:14 | Finland:K-11 | Germany:12 | Netherlands:12 | Norway:11 | Singapore:PG | Switzerland:12 (canton of the Grisons) | UK:12A | USA:PG-13

Filming Locations:

Bavaria Studios, Munich, Bavaria, Germany

Company:

Eikon Film

Trivia:

There are many instances when actual quotes are used by the characters. This includes Friar Tetzel's "Coin in the coffer rings a soul from Purgatory springs" as well as Luther's "Here I Stand" speech.

Goofs:

Continuity: The film takes place over the course of three decades. However, none of the characters show any signs of aging, including Luther and the youthful German emperor.

Quotes:

Martin Luther: [giving a lecture] When I became a monk I believed the monks cow would make me holy. Was I an arrogant fool? Now they have made me a doctor of divinity and I am tempted to believe that this scholars robe will make me wise.
[laughter]
Martin Luther: Well, God once spoke through the mouth of an ass, and...
[laughter]
Martin Luther: Perhaps he is about to do so again. But...
[leaves his rostrum and starts walking around in the classroom. The students follow him very interested with their eyes]
Martin Luther: I will tell you straight what I think. Who here has been to Rome?
[a student raises his hand]
Martin Luther: Did you buy an indulgence?
Student: No.
[...]

Movie Connections:

Version of Martin Luther (1953)

A Masterpiece of Historical Presentation

It is unfortunate that this film has such limited distribution as it to become one of the shining stars of historical dramas. Here in Miami it is only showing in 3 theaters. On opening day at 4:10 in the afternoon there were less than 10 people in the theater! Its attention to historical accuracy is commendable. The acting by Fiennes and Ustinov could not be improved in my view. I was swept away with drama and emotion of the portrayal of Luther at this time of crisis in Christianity. Interestingly the pivotal moment of the nailing of the 95 thesis to the door of the church in Wittenburg is regarded as fictional by most careful scholars of Luther! But the legend is so ingrained that I am glad it was presented. If you have any interest in the foundations of the schism with Catholicism you must see this film.