A Man for All Seasons
 | Special EditionDirected by Fred Zinnemann Starring: Paul Scofield, Wendy Hiller, Leo McKern, Robert Shaw, Orson Welles Sony Pictures, 1966, DVD Customer Rating: 204 reviews Recommend |
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In 16th-century England, the corrupt King Henry VIII (Robert Shaw) betrays the Roman Catholic Church to divorce his wife and marry his latest conquest Anne Boleyn (Vanessa Redgrave). Sir Thomas More (Paul Scofield) is then forced to choose between his principles and duty to his heretical king, who has begun executing the treasonous with increasing frequency. The historically profound battle of ideals also involves Cardinal Wolsey (Orson Welles), Thomas Cromwell (Leo McKern), and More's valiant wife (Wendy Hiller).
Robert Bolt's successful play was not considered a hot commercial property by Columbia Pictures — a period piece about a moral issue without a star, without even a love story. Perhaps that's why Columbia left director Fred Zinnemann alone to make A Man for All Seasons, as long as he stuck to a relatively small budget. The results took everyone by surprise, as the talky morality play became a box-office hit and collected the top Oscars for 1966. At the play's heart is the standoff between King Henry VIII (Robert Shaw, in young lion form) and Sir Thomas More (Paul Scofield, in an Oscar-winning performance). Henry wants More's official approval of divorce, but More's strict ethical and religious code will not let him waffle. More's rectitude is a source of exasperation to Cardinal Wolsey (Orson Welles in a cameo), who chides, "If you could just see facts flat on without that horrible moral squint." Zinnemann's approach is all simplicity, and indeed the somewhat prosaic staging doesn't create a great deal of cinematic excitement. But the language is worth savoring, and the ethical politics are debated with all the calm and majesty of an absorbing chess game. — Robert Horton
Robert Bolt's successful play was not considered a hot commercial property by Columbia Pictures — a period piece about a moral issue without a star, without even a love story. Perhaps that's why Columbia left director Fred Zinnemann alone to make A Man for All Seasons, as long as he stuck to a relatively small budget. The results took everyone by surprise, as the talky morality play became a box-office hit and collected the top Oscars for 1966. At the play's heart is the standoff between King Henry VIII (Robert Shaw, in young lion form) and Sir Thomas More (Paul Scofield, in an Oscar-winning performance). Henry wants More's official approval of divorce, but More's strict ethical and religious code will not let him waffle. More's rectitude is a source of exasperation to Cardinal Wolsey (Orson Welles in a cameo), who chides, "If you could just see facts flat on without that horrible moral squint." Zinnemann's approach is all simplicity, and indeed the somewhat prosaic staging doesn't create a great deal of cinematic excitement. But the language is worth savoring, and the ethical politics are debated with all the calm and majesty of an absorbing chess game. — Robert Horton
Stills from A Man for All Seasons (click for larger image)
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Beyond A Man for All Seasons at Amazon.com
 More Films By Fred Zinnemann |  More Biographies on Film |  Utopia by Thomas More |
Title: A Man for All Seasons (Special Edition)
Sales Rank: 1179 in DVD
Actor: Paul Scofield, Wendy Hiller, Leo McKern, Robert Shaw, Orson Welles
Director: Fred Zinnemann
Studio: Sony Pictures, 2007-02-20, Theatrical Release: 1966
Format: AC-3, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, Dubbed, DVD-Video, Special Edition, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC, Acpect Ratio 1.66:1
Languages: English (Original Language), English (Subtitled), French (Subtitled), Portuguese (Subtitled), French (Dubbed)
Audience Rating: G (General Audience)
Region Code: 99
Running Time: 120 minutes
Item Dimensions: 1 pounds
Package Dimensions: 7.5 x 5.3 x 0.6 inches, 0.2 pounds
- Sir Thomas for for Senate
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How great a country would America be if our Congress men and women had the courage of Thomas Moore.
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Moore worked in the law courts, his motto, "A fair judgment and quickly". Moore believed in rule of law. "If you cut down law, do you think you could stand in the laws that blow then." The rule of law was parmount. The courts were corrupt, Kings High Counsel administered the kings… More reviews
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