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Martin Luther

  • 1953
  • Approved
  • 1h 45m
IMDb RATING
6.8/10
610
YOUR RATING
Martin Luther (1953)
BiographyDramaHistory

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.

  • Director
    • Irving Pichel
  • Writers
    • Allan Sloane
    • Lothar Wolff
    • Theodore G. Tappert
  • Stars
    • Niall MacGinnis
    • John Ruddock
    • Pierre Lefevre
  • See production, box office & company info
  • IMDb RATING
    6.8/10
    610
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Irving Pichel
    • Writers
      • Allan Sloane
      • Lothar Wolff
      • Theodore G. Tappert
    • Stars
      • Niall MacGinnis
      • John Ruddock
      • Pierre Lefevre
    • 63User 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

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    Niall MacGinnis
    Niall MacGinnis
    • Martin Luther
    John Ruddock
    • Vicar von Staupitz
    Pierre Lefevre
    • Spalatin
    Guy Verney
    Guy Verney
    • Melanchthon
    Alastair Hunter
    Alastair Hunter
    • Carlstadt
    • (as Allastair Hunter)
    David Horne
    David Horne
    • Duke Frederick
    Fred Johnson
    Fred Johnson
    • Prior
    Philip Leaver
    Philip Leaver
    • Pope Leo X
    Heinz Piper
    Heinz Piper
    • Dr. Eck
    Leonard White
    • Emissary
    Egon Strohm
    • Cardinal Alexander
    Annette Carell
    Annette Carell
    • Katherine von Bora
    • (as Annette Carrell)
    Alexander Gauge
    Alexander Gauge
    • Tetzel
    Henry Oscar
    Henry Oscar
    Irving Pichel
    Irving Pichel
    • Brueck
    Ronald Adam
    Ronald Adam
    • John, Duke of Saxony
    Joss Ambler
    Joss Ambler
    William Abney
    • Director
      • Irving Pichel
    • Writers
      • Allan Sloane
      • Lothar Wolff
      • Theodore G. Tappert
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

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    Did you know

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    • 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 reviews63

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    Extremely well done, important story
    McGinnis' performance is stellar; he was very much like I imagined the real Martin Luther to be; unmovable in his personal beliefs, but compassionate to individuals; enthusiastic about bettering mankind, but merciless about his own weaknesses. The on-location shooting for this movie is wonderful, and the black-and-white cinematography concentrates attention on the actors facial expressions. Supporting actors were very well selected for their characters. Period costumes, activities and dialogue were well-researched and very-well done. The copy of the movie I saw was not restored...so to get the most out of it, you need to give it your full concentration, but you'll be well rewarded. It portrays one of the most pivotal individuals in history, and does it well. As with all the best movies, you wish it didn't have to end...
    helpful•16
    0
    • inshalla
    • Aug 12, 2003

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    Details

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    • 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

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

    Technical specs

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

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