A Man for All Seasons

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Summary: watch this one with your brain turned on
Review: This is a movie to make you think and is full of quotes to ponder. When Richard Rich decides to betray More to Cromwell, Cromwell says, "That wasn't so hard, was it? And it will be easier next time." How true. The first step to sin is the hardest - each one after that gets easeir. After viewing the movie I am inspired to first consider God's view of my actions instead of just taking the easiest course. All that said, I think it would take a very righteous person to hold to their convictions to the extent that More did. The movie was not only inspiring, it was well acted (it wouldn't have been inspiring otherwise), and the costumes were well done. It is definitely not a 'Die Hard' action movie, but it does move along and is not preachy. It tells the story of a man and how he lived and died.

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Summary: A longtime favorite
Review: One of the greatest English language films ever made about one of the greatest men who ever lived. St. Thomas More was a man of extraordinary conviction and through the years has proven to be a great inspiration to me, personally. When Sir Thomas is asked to endorse Henry VIII's petition for annulment from his marriage to Catherine of Aragon, he's fully aware of the consequences of his refusal. Nevertheless, he did what he knew and felt was right and he paid the ultimate price. A true martyr in every sense of the word and a film that makes the viewer question his own value system and sense of passion and integrity. Paul Scoffield's brilliant and profound characterization of Sir Thomas is still a wonder to behold. He imbues this larger than life person with such quiet dignity and grace that it belies the reality of his existence. This is not a man worried about dying. This is a man worried about living without the courage of his convictions, knowing that he supported something he truly abhorred and knew was wrong. Robert Shaw's performance as Henry VIII is equally wonderful, as are Susannah York, Dame Wendy Hiller and Orson Wells. I never tire of watching this film or reading the play; incidentally, also one of my favorites.

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Summary: Forget the religious overtones, it's about principles.
Review: A superb performance by all, esp. Scofield. What drew me in was the remarkable story: More's refusal to compromise his beliefs for expediency is something rarely encountered. What's extraordinary is that many compromise their principles on a daily basis over trivial issues, and he refused despite the fact that his life was at stake. It's all dialogue, but what did you expect?

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Summary: A touching testament to being true to oneself and God.
Review: I first saw this movie, when I was 14 years old, right after it's release. It touched me then, but now 33 years later, it touches me even more deeply. Years of living, hopefully, teaches us all the importance of remaining true to our beliefs and values. I believe Thomas More is a shining example of this. The acting was brilliant, and Paul Scofield brought forth the humanity of Thomas More. The relationships with wife, daughter and friends was true to life and tempered with humor, compassion and love.

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Summary: Inspiring and timeless epic
Review: This film is an inspiring and timeless epic about a man's love for God and his Church. St. Thomas More freely gave up all that he had, including his very life, rather than compromising his religious faith. Outstanding writing and flawless acting combine to make "A Man For All Seasons" a truly great film.

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Summary: integrity, intellegince and holiness to the limit
Review: Our idea of the saints, out of the world, changes completely when we meet Thomas More, later St. Thomas, on this extraordinary film. Many of the resources of the cinema are displayed, but mainly the richness of dialogs from a Lord Chancellor, the higest position in the advocay of England in the XVI and at the same time a Saint in the middle of the world. So up to date: Not only a man for all seasons but a man for all centuries.

Lord Chancellor

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Summary: Powerful film about an incredible man
Review: "A Man For All Seasons" tells the life of the Lord Chancellor of England, Sir Thomas More. More was a well-trusted counsellor of King Henry VIII, but he was a vehemently loyal Catholic. When Henry was refused an annulment of his first marriage, More refused to recognise the validity of the King's divorce and subsequent marriage. When Henry purported to make himself head of the Catholic Church in England, More refused to take the Oath of Supremacy. A consummate lawyer, philospher, writer and, ultimately, Saint, More has so much to teach us about how to live our lives: his integrity, dignity, honesty, loyalty are quite amazing. But, perhaps his greatest legacy for those of us who look to him today for example is that at a time when even the Church's Bishops abandoned Christ's Vicar on Earth for the King, and at a time when the Catholic Church was suffering under some of its most sinful Popes, More nevertheless knew that the Pope was the true successor of Peter the Apostle and Head of the Church Christ Himself founded, and he was prepared to die for the Papacy, rather than pander to what people wanted to believe.

This film is truly a classic. Crisis Magazine named it one of the Top 50 Catholic Films of all time.

Without a doubt, the choicest part of the whole film is during the trial when St Thomas' false accuser, Richard Rich comes forth dressed in the regalia attaching to his new office as Attorney-General of Wales (an office he was given in return for his false testimony). St Thomas looks him in the eye and says: "Our Lord said it profiteth a man nothing to gain the whole world if he lose his soul, but for Wales, Richard! For Wales!"

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Summary: The movie of conscience
Review: I think that this movie is one of the best films to describe how an individual caught between faith and prosperity in the world. Thomas Moore despite facing death would not give in what he believed as the most important thing in the world-faith in the Church. He would give up everything including his career in the King's court and his family. Today we need more people like Thomas Moore who would stand fast with secularism.

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Summary: Frustrating for the Historian
Review: Brilliantly made movie. Problem is it gives a total whitewash to More's character. We hear nothing about the man who chortled happily when Protestants were burned alive at the stake. Performances are brilliant as is the rest, but the characters are pure Hollywood melodrama

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Summary: Scofield is nothing less than brilliant !!
Review: Richard Burton once remarked that, (His) goal in life was to be the greatest actor that ever lived; and (he) thought he was until he saw Paul Scofield in, "A Man For All Seasons". Having seen this incredible performance by Paul Scofield, I applaude Burton's modesty".