The story of Sir Thomas More, who stood up to King Henry VIII when the King rejected the Roman Catholic Church to obtain a divorce and remarry.
Director:
Fred Zinnemann
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Title: A Man for All Seasons (1966)
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Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Paul Scofield | ... | Thomas More | |
| Wendy Hiller | ... | Alice | |
| Leo McKern | ... | Cromwell | |
| Robert Shaw | ... | Henry VIII | |
| Orson Welles | ... | Cardinal Wolsey | |
| Susannah York | ... | Margaret | |
| Nigel Davenport | ... | Duke of Norfolk | |
| John Hurt | ... | Rich | |
| Corin Redgrave | ... | Roper | |
| Colin Blakely | ... | Matthew | |
| Cyril Luckham | ... | Archbishop Cranmer | |
| Jack Gwillim | ... | Chief Justice | |
| Thomas Heathcote | ... | Boatman | |
| Yootha Joyce | ... | Averil Machin | |
| Anthony Nicholls | ... | King's Representative | |
Edit
Plot Summary
|
Plot Synopsis
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Storyline
The story takes place in sixteenth century England. But men like Sir Thomas More, who love life yet have the moral fiber to lay down their lives for their principles, are found in every century. Concentrating on the last seven years of the English Chancellor's life, the struggle between More and King Henry VIII hinges on Henry's determination to break with Rome so he can divorce his current wife and wed again, and good Catholic More's inability to go along with such heresy. More resigns as Chancellor, hoping to be able to live out his life as a private citizen. But Henry will settle for nothing less than that the much respected More give public approval to his headstrong course. Written by alfiehitchie
Plot Keywords:
period piece | courtroom drama | divorce | chancellor | king henry viii |Taglines:
...a motion picture for all times! See more »Parents Guide:
View content advisory »
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Details
Country:
UKRelease Date:
3 May 1967 (France) See more »Also Known As:
A Man for All Seasons See more »Edit
Box Office
Budget:
$2,000,000 (estimated)Company Credits
Show more on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Sound Mix:
Mono (Westrex Recording System)Color:
Color (Technicolor)Aspect Ratio:
1.66 : 1
Edit
[first spoken lines are over 6 minutes into the film]
Man: ...there's the country every second bastard born is fathered by a priest.
Matthew: [clears throat to get More's attention]
Man: Why, in Utopia, that couldn't be.
Man: But why?
Man: Well, there the priests are very holy.
Man: Therefore, very few.
Sir Thomas More: Is it anything interesting, Matthew?
Matthew: Bless you, sir, I don't know.
[...]
See more »
Did You Know?
Goofs
During the trial of More, after the guards at the back of the room turn around to face the roused crowd (1:57:22), they are facing forward again when the Chief Justice speaks, and facing the rear immediately after, with no time in which to turn. See more »Quotes
[first lines][first spoken lines are over 6 minutes into the film]
Man: ...there's the country every second bastard born is fathered by a priest.
Matthew: [clears throat to get More's attention]
Man: Why, in Utopia, that couldn't be.
Man: But why?
Man: Well, there the priests are very holy.
Man: Therefore, very few.
Sir Thomas More: Is it anything interesting, Matthew?
Matthew: Bless you, sir, I don't know.
[...]
See more »
Connections
Referenced in The Carpenter's Shop: St. Thomas More: A Father for All Seasons (2005) See more »Contribute to This Page
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Paul Scofield's rendition of Sir Thomas More as written by Robert Bolt and directed by Fred Zinneman is the greatest lead dramatic performance EVER in cinematic history. He is that magnificent. He IS Sir Thomas More. We feel his hope, weariness, fire, virtue, protectiveness, morality, and bemusement as richly as he conveys each one frequently, one right after another. He was made for Bolt's dialogue, and Bolt's dialogue is drilled forever into our conscious by Scofield's flawless performance.
Everything else is also here. Leo McKern is brilliant as politically motivated prosecutor, Lord Cromwell. A bit subtler, but no less brilliant is Nigel Davenport as a man of some conscience, but not quite enough. John Hurt is unforgettable as ambitious young Rich led into temptation by Lord Cromwell. The incomparable Dame Wendy Hiller -- who passed just last year -- adds several more dimensions than her rather sparsely written role as Scofield's wife should have allowed for. Every minute she is on the screen is magnificent. Susannah York walks a tightrope between being scholarly reason and her passion for what is right. Robert Shaw as Henry VIII and Orson Wells as Cardinal Woolsey are larger than life and completely compelling during their all-too-brief virtuoso solos. The cinematography is lush. The soundtrack is historically accurate and perfectly positioned. Key sounds punctuate three pregnant pauses with explosive impact. The movie is technically as perfect as an historical epic can be. The film is simply exquisite.
All that being said, as I reflect momentarily in my head on closing this, it is Scofield's incomparable and breathtaking performance which still leaves me in complete awe.