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Martin Luther

  • 19531953
  • ApprovedApproved
  • 1h 45m
IMDb RATING
6.8/10
571
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Martin Luther (1953)
  • Biography
  • Drama
  • History
Biopic of German priest Martin Luther (Niall MacGinnis), covering his life between 1505 and 1530 A.D., and the birth of the Protestant Reformation movement.Biopic of German priest Martin Luther (Niall MacGinnis), covering his life between 1505 and 1530 A.D., and the birth of the Protestant Reformation movement.Biopic of German priest Martin Luther (Niall MacGinnis), covering his life between 1505 and 1530 A.D., and the birth of the Protestant Reformation movement.
IMDb RATING
6.8/10
571
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Irving Pichel
  • Writers
    • Allan Sloane(researched and prepared for the screen by)
    • Lothar Wolff(researched and prepared for the screen by)
    • Theodore G. Tappert
  • Stars
    • Niall MacGinnis
    • John Ruddock
    • Pierre Lefevre
Top credits
  • Director
    • Irving Pichel
  • Writers
    • Allan Sloane(researched and prepared for the screen by)
    • Lothar Wolff(researched and prepared for the screen by)
    • Theodore G. Tappert
  • Stars
    • Niall MacGinnis
    • John Ruddock
    • Pierre Lefevre
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 60User reviews
    • 4Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 2 Oscars
      • 1 win & 4 nominations total

    Photos12

    Martin Luther (1953)
    Niall MacGinnis in Martin Luther (1953)
    Martin Luther (1953)
    Martin Luther (1953)
    Martin Luther (1953)
    Niall MacGinnis in Martin Luther (1953)
    Niall MacGinnis in Martin Luther (1953)
    Philip Leaver in Martin Luther (1953)
    Niall MacGinnis in Martin Luther (1953)
    Martin Luther (1953)
    Martin Luther (1953)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Niall MacGinnis
    Niall MacGinnis
    • Martin Lutheras Martin Luther
    John Ruddock
    • Vicar von Staupitzas Vicar von Staupitz
    Pierre Lefevre
    • Spalatinas Spalatin
    Guy Verney
    Guy Verney
    • Melanchthonas Melanchthon
    Alastair Hunter
    Alastair Hunter
    • Carlstadtas Carlstadt
    • (as Allastair Hunter)
    David Horne
    David Horne
    • Duke Frederickas Duke Frederick
    Fred Johnson
    Fred Johnson
    • Prioras Prior
    Philip Leaver
    Philip Leaver
    • Pope Leo Xas Pope Leo X
    Heinz Piper
    Heinz Piper
    • Dr. Eckas Dr. Eck
    Leonard White
    • Emissaryas Emissary
    Egon Strohm
    • Cardinal Alexanderas Cardinal Alexander
    Annette Carell
    Annette Carell
    • Katherine von Boraas Katherine von Bora
    • (as Annette Carrell)
    Alexander Gauge
    Alexander Gauge
    • Tetzelas Tetzel
    Henry Oscar
    Henry Oscar
    Irving Pichel
    Irving Pichel
    • Brueckas Brueck
    Ronald Adam
    Ronald Adam
    Joss Ambler
    Joss Ambler
    William Abney
    • Director
      • Irving Pichel
    • Writers
      • Allan Sloane(researched and prepared for the screen by)
      • Lothar Wolff(researched and prepared for the screen by)
      • Theodore G. Tappert
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit
    This biographical account of Martin Luther's actions that eventually created the Lutheran and Protestant denominations was filmed in conjunction with the Lutheran Church. Niall MacGinnis portrays the friar whose nailing of the ninety-five Theses to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg created such a stir that it shook the foundations of the medieval Church. This movie shows the struggle between Luther and Rome, and how the medieval Church did not fully explain things he questioned, which led to him to be labelled a heretic.
    • character name as title
    • martin luther character
    • 1500s
    • year 1530
    • year 1505
    • 36 more
    • Plot summary
    • Add synopsis
    • Taglines
      • The Man Who Changed the World - FOREVER!
    • Genres
      • Biography
      • Drama
      • History
    • Certificate
      • Approved
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      This movie was never released in Québec, Canada. At the time, Québec's movie censorship board (made up entirely of French-speaking Catholics) refused to approve this movie to be shown in Québec's movie theaters. Therefore, it could only be shown in the basements of Québec's Protestant churches.
    • Connections
      Featured in Wormwood: Chapter 2: A Terrible Mistake (2017)

    User reviews60

    Review
    Top review
    7/10
    MARTIN LUTHER (Irving Pichel, 1953) ***
    This was included in a budget 3-Disc Set comprising ten religious-themed efforts which have fallen into the Public Domain; indeed, it was the most desirable title of the lot and it turned out to be pretty good. Incidentally, four other small-scale films found on this collection were produced by various evangelical groups and, in fact, so was this biopic. Though compromised in this edition by the softness (and slight damage) of the available print, the handsome production afforded the film itself resulted in two Academy Award nominations (uncommon for an independently-made effort) – best cinematography and best black-and-white art direction/set decoration.

    MARTIN LUTHER is a curious collaboration between three countries – the U.S., Germany (from where Martin Luther himself emanated) and the U.K.; in fact, while the director (and bit-part actor) Irving Pichel is an American, the lead here is played – superbly, I might add – by the Irish character actor Niall MacGinnis (perhaps best-known for his chilling portrayal of Karswell, the occult-practicing villain of Jacques Tourneur’s CURSE OF THE DEMON [1957]). His thoughtful performance is very effective in illustrating the various facets of Luther’s personality: his initial inner conflicts, the laying-down of (and firm conviction in) his own beliefs, as well as the strength necessary for opposing the power of the Church (facing disrepute from both his peers and his congregation, not to mention an eventual excommunication). Furthermore, we’re also shown the build-up of support to his particular credo where it attracts people from all walks of life…and even lands him a wife!

    The script does quite well in delineating the essential difference between the doctrine of the Catholic Church (in its most oppressive state, back when it was still a political force to be reckoned with) and Luther’s pragmatic but no less steadfast approach to religion: the latter favors a strict adherence to Scriptures in the face of the Church’s fire-and-brimstone teachings (resorting to the deception of ignorant parishioners by proposing the worship of worthless holy relics and the offer of money in order to obtain indulgences in the afterlife, or the callous bestowing of titles upon non-clerical albeit aristocratic subjects).

    When I was in Hollywood in 2005, I had caught LUTHER (1974) on TV: directed by Guy Green from a stage rendition by John Osborne and featuring Stacy Keach in the title role, it’s been released on DVD by Kino as part of “The American Film Theater Collection”. While that version, too, was undeniably interesting and effective, the earlier cinematic i.e. less stagey treatment was perhaps the more satisfactory; by the way, there’s been an even more recent biopic of the famous religious figure starring Joseph Fiennes, which is readily available from my local DVD rental outlet.
    helpful•6
    0
    • Bunuel1976
    • Mar 20, 2008

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • October 25, 1954 (Sweden)
    • Countries of origin
      • West Germany
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Filmen om Martin Luther
    • Filming locations
      • Wittenberg, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany
    • Production companies
      • RD-DR Productions
      • The Lutheran Church in America
      • Luther Filmgesellshaft
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $500,000 (estimated)
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 45 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

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