A Man for All Seasons poster

1966·120 min·Released

A Man for All Seasons

“...a motion picture for all times!”

Drama
History

A depiction of the conflict between King Henry VIII of England and his Lord Chancellor, Sir Thomas More, who refuses to swear the Oath of Supremacy declaring Henry Supreme Head of the Church in England.

7.3(500 votes)

Popularity2

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Masters of Cinema Trailer

Cast & Crew

Paul Scofield

Paul Scofield

Thomas More

Wendy Hiller

Wendy Hiller

Alice More

Leo McKern

Leo McKern

Thomas Cromwell

Robert Shaw

Robert Shaw

King Henry VIII

Orson Welles

Orson Welles

Cardinal Wolsey

Susannah York

Susannah York

Margaret More

Nigel Davenport

Nigel Davenport

The Duke of Norfolk

John Hurt

John Hurt

Richard Rich

Corin Redgrave

Corin Redgrave

William Roper (the Younger)

Colin Blakely

Colin Blakely

Matthew

Cyril Luckham

Cyril Luckham

Archbishop Cranmer

Jack Gwillim

Jack Gwillim

Chief Justice

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John Chard

Written on 5/8/2016

The agony of the moral high ground. Fred Zinnemann directs and Robert Bolt adapts the screenplay from his own play. It stars Paul Scofield, Wendy Hiller, Leo McKern, Robert Shaw, Orson Welles, Susannah York, Nigel Davenport and John Hurt. Music is by Georges Delerue and cinematography by Ted Moore. Plot has Scofield as Sir Thomas More, the man who refused to cede to the mighty machinations of King Henry VIII (Shaw). It's very much an actors movie, beautifully literate and costumed and photographed up to the nines. So not one for those more keen on the action orientated historical epic, then! The story is thriving on the anguish of Thomas More, who is torn between loyalty to his King and his own moral beliefs, the beliefs of his religion system and the potential damning of his soul. The political and religious machinations positively pulse throughout, vividly brought to life by a cast of great thespians (Scofield is as great as you have heard). Great credit has to go to Zinneman, one of the deserved recipients of the 6 Oscars the film garnered. He never lets the cast run away with things, no chewing the scenery or smell the fart acting, he keeps them in check and they respond by providing an utterly fascinating and compelling historical saga. But most of all, with all the royal pomp on show, it's the intelligence of the writing that shines brightest. The dialogue via the sharp script throws cloaks of suspicion over everything being played out. Religion and politics, huh, it's for the birds. Top film making. 8/10

CinemaSerf

Written on 9/2/2024

Paul Scofield is superb as the Lord Chancellor of England ultimately torn between his loyalty to his king and to his conscience. As Henry VIII (Robert Shaw) becomes more and more infatuated by Anne Boleyn (Vanessa Redgrave) he insists that all of his subjects acknowledge his absolute supremacy over the church. Most, fearful for their lives and property, acquiesce but Sir Thomas More (Scofield) cannot. The King has long relied on the honest counsel of his friend as so initially is content to allow him to retire, but soon those conspiring against More use everything at their disposal to bring him to ruin. Wendy Hiller sensitively portrays his stoic wife desperate to save her husband from the scaffold but cognisant of his overwhelming sense of right and wrong. Leo McKern also stands out as his scheming successor Thomas Cromwell and there is a cameo from Orson Welles as the clearly out-of-favour Cardinal Wolsey. Robert Bolt adapts his own stage play without compromising the genuine sentiment of his original work - fear, honesty, integrity and power - making this a thought-provoking watch from Fred Zinnemann.

Media

A Man for All Seasons ≣ 1966 ≣ Trailer

A Man for All Seasons ≣ 1966 ≣ Trailer

Masters of Cinema Trailer

Masters of Cinema Trailer

Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? and A Man for All Seasons Win Costume Design: 1967 Oscars

Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? and A Man for All Seasons Win Costume Design: 1967 Oscars

Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? and A Man for All Seasons Wins Cinematography: 1967 Oscars

Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? and A Man for All Seasons Wins Cinematography: 1967 Oscars

A Man for All Seasons Wins Best Directing, Best Picture and Best Actor: 1967 Oscars

A Man for All Seasons Wins Best Directing, Best Picture and Best Actor: 1967 Oscars