A Man for All Seasons

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A Man for All Seasons

G

1966

2h 0m

History

Drama

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Popcornmeter

89%

Tomatometer

79 Reviews

87%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

When the highly respected British statesman Sir Thomas More (Paul Scofield) refuses to pressure the Pope into annulling the marriage of King Henry VIII (Robert Shaw) and his Spanish-born wife, More's clashes with the monarch increase in intensity. A devout Catholic, More stands by his religious principles and moves to leave the royal court. Unfortunately, the King and his loyalists aren't appeased by this, and press forward with grave charges of treason, further testing More's resolve.

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Critics Consensus

Solid cinematography and enjoyable performances from Paul Scofield and Robert Shaw add a spark to this deliberately paced adaptation of the Robert Bolt play.

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Richard Roud

Guardian

Sep 8, 2022

On the philosophical level this is no more profound or thought-provoking than Batman. However -- and this is a big however -- A Man for All Seasons is a good film, competently made and extremely well acted.

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Patrick Gibbs

Daily Telegraph (UK)

Sep 8, 2022

Paul Scofield's More, at once spritely and deadly serious, is a beautifully consistent study, generally low-pitched but always capable of an effective show of strength.

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John Russell Taylor

The Times (UK)

Sep 8, 2022

The satisfactions to be gained from the film are preeminently quiet, civilized. But they are none the less real.

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Mark Johnson

Awards Daily

Jun 27, 2023

A Man For All Seasons is another British history lesson...often buttoned up too tightly with overstuffed pageantry and an exhausting air of elitism

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LIFE Staff

LIFE

Sep 8, 2022

In an era of muddled motives and nihilism, Sir Thomas satisfies our nostalgia not only for nobility but also for an age when a man, if he dared risk his head, knew exactly what he was risking it for.

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Penelope Gilliatt

Observer (UK)

Sep 8, 2022

For me the only thing wrong with the film, in fact, is the secret ingredient that it is inoffensively and sweetly boring.

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Live'sOf T

@RT92454160 1 day ago

Good enough to think about for more than a day.

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Robert P

@Superbad Sep 7, 2026

A Man for all Season = a *4 and 1/2* stars...

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Christian K

@ckacar Feb 5, 2026

A solidly performed and staged British period drama. Each characters and actor gets their own chance to cook for a few minutes, but its ceiling is limited by its story.

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Chris H

@RT60525826 Jan 27, 2026

This is a great piece of work; endlessly captivating and with a very strong cast. Paul Scofield is brilliant but the real fun - and menace - in the film comes from Robert Shaw as a lively and very dangerous Henry VIII.

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MG_Claymore C

@Claymore Nov 17, 2024

This is one of the best Christian and historical films out there. About the great English Catholic and argubly the greatest legal mind this country ever produced, Saint Thomas Moore. "I die the king's good servant. But I am Gods servant first!." - Sir Thomas Moore.

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Shay C

@RT56568166 Dec 17, 2023

I loved every moment of this film.

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Fred Zinnemann

Director

Paul Scofield

Sir Thomas More

Robert Shaw

King Henry VIII

Orson Welles

Cardinal Wolsey

Wendy Hiller

Alice More

Leo McKern

Thomas Cromwell

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Synopsis

When the highly respected British statesman Sir Thomas More (Paul Scofield) refuses to pressure the Pope into annulling the marriage of King Henry VIII (Robert Shaw) and his Spanish-born wife, More's clashes with the monarch increase in intensity. A devout Catholic, More stands by his religious principles and moves to leave the royal court. Unfortunately, the King and his loyalists aren't appeased by this, and press forward with grave charges of treason, further testing More's resolve.

Director: Fred Zinnemann
Producer: Fred Zinnemann
Screenwriter: Robert Bolt
Distributor: Columbia Pictures
Production Co: Open Road
Rating: G
Genre: History, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 12, 1966, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 16, 2012
Runtime: 2h 0m

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