Luther (2003)

During the early sixteenth century, idealistic German monk Martin Luther, disgusted by the materialism in the Catholic Church, begins the dialogue that will lead to the Protestant Reformation.

Director:

Eric Till

Writers:

Camille Thomasson, Bart Gavigan

Stars:

Joseph Fiennes, Bruno Ganz, Peter Ustinov

4 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Joseph Fiennes	...	Martin Luther
Alfred Molina	...	John Tetzel
Jonathan Firth	...	Girolamo Aleander
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 Cajetan
Benjamin Sadler	...	Spalatin
Jochen Horst	...	Professor Carlstadt
Torben Liebrecht	...	Charles V
Maria Simon	...	Hanna
Lars Rudolph	...	Melanchthon
Marco Hofschneider	...	Ulrick
Christopher Buchholz	...	von der Eck

Storyline

Biography of Martin Luther (Joseph Fiennes), the sixteenth century priest who led the Christian Reformation, and opened up new possibilities in exploration of faith. This movie begins with his vow to become a monk, and continues through his struggles to reconcile his desire for sanctification with his increasing abhorrence of the corruption and hypocrisy pervading the Church's hierarchy. He is ultimately charged with heresy and must confront the ruling Cardinals and Princes, urging them to make the Scriptures available to the common believer and lead the Church toward faith through justice and righteousness.

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Plot Keywords:

protestant reformation | sermon | catholic church | thuringia germany | erfurt germany | 

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Taglines:

Rebel. Genius. Liberator.

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | History

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for disturbing images of violence

Did You Know?

Trivia

Co-produced by "Thrivent Financial for Lutherans", an American company affiliated with Lutheran church organizations, primarily the two largest national U.S. Lutheran Church organizations (The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod). Thrivent is a component of the "Fortune 500", the five hundred largest companies headquartered in the United States, but it is the only not-for-profit organization or company, which is a component of Fortune 500, because it is a members only company, serving the congregants of Lutheran churches in the U.S., operating much like a members only credit union or mutual (meaning owned by its members) insurance company.

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Goofs

When Tetzel and others are burning Luther's work, you can hear a radio probably coming from the crew.

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Quotes

Martin Luther: I cannot renounce all of my works because they are not all the same.First are those books in which if I have described Christian faith and life so simply that even my opponents have admitted that these books are useful. To renounce these writings would be unthinkable for that would be to renounce accepted Christian truths... The second group of my work is directed aginst the foul doctrine and evil living of the Popes, past and present... Through the laws of the Pope and the doctrines of men, ...

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Connections

Version of Martin Luther (1983)

User Reviews

Stunning and Heroic!!

I was expecting a Christian movie with a tight budget,and a goofy script...Not so!! This movie brought back memories of Chariots of Fire and Braveheart in its dipiction of courage and the conviction of Martin Luther. The script was excellent as well as the filming,music and editing. All of the characters were so believable that I felt that I was there among them. During most of the movie, you could have heard a pin drop it the theatre as well all felt the wide range of emotions. This is not a Catholic bashing movie, but rather and expose of the elitist powerbase of not only the early european church but the government of many of the countries in the 14-1500's. Even if you know nothing of church history or Christianity, you owe it to yourself to experience this movie...you won't be dissappointed.

Details

Official Sites:

Official Site Official Site [Germany]

Country:

Germany USA Czech Republic Italy

Language:

English Latin

Release Date:

26 September 2003 (USA)

Also Known As:

Luther

Filming Locations:

Germany

Box Office

Budget:

$30,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$908,446, 28 September 2003

Gross USA:

$5,791,328

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$29,632,684

Company Credits

Production Co:

Eikon Film, NFP Teleart Berlin (I), NFP

Technical Specs

Runtime:

123 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1