A Man for All Seasons (1966)

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

Writers:

Robert Bolt (from the play by), Robert Bolt (screenplay)

Stars:

Paul Scofield, Wendy Hiller, Robert Shaw

Won 6 Oscars. Another 27 wins & 9 nominations.

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

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.

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Plot Keywords:

period piece | courtroom drama | divorce | chancellor | king henry viii | 

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Taglines:

The award-winning stage triumph brings more excitement to the screen...with its grandeur and its gripping drama!

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | History

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Certificate:

G

Did You Know?

Trivia

Nicholas Grimshaw was offered a featured role, but confusion over the offer meant he accepted a stage role instead.

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Goofs

More's daughter, Margaret, is wearing a very 1960s pinkish lipstick throughout the film.

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Quotes

[first lines]
[first spoken lines are over 6 minutes into the film]
1st Scholar: Archbishop Fisher says that in this country every second bastard born is fathered by a priest.
Matthew: [clears throat to get More's attention]
1st Scholar: But in Utopia that couldn't be.
Courtier: For why?
1st Scholar: For there the priests are very holy.
Courtier: And therefore very few.
Sir Thomas More: Is it anything interesting, Matthew?
Matthew: Bless you, sir, I don't know.
[...]

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Connections

Referenced in That Girl: An Uncle Herbert for All Seasons (1970)

User Reviews

A Protest

It is a travesty that this film is not in the top 250. Something is very very wrong with rating system that says The Big Lebowski is a better film.

I can't add anything to what has already been said about A Man for All Seasons. Unquestionably one of the greatest films of all time, and stands the test of time. It will be revered as a great film 100 years from now. Will Lebowski? Doubt it. Winner of nearly every award it was nominated for. Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Screenplay, etc. One of the few movies that makes my whole being vibrate when I watch it. I am moved to tears in almost every scene because the scene is executed so perfectly.

Please IMDb, this must give you pause. Any system that does not put this film in the top 100 borders on insanity or uselessness.

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English Latin Spanish French

Release Date:

16 December 1966 (USA)

Also Known As:

A Man for All Seasons

Filming Locations:

Beaulieu River, Hampshire, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

$2,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Highland Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

120 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1