A Man for All Seasons

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A Man for All Seasons

G

Released Dec 12, 1966

2h 0m

History

Drama

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Popcornmeter

89%

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80 Reviews

87%

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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

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.

Sep 8, 2022

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Patrick Gibbs

Daily Telegraph (UK)

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.

Sep 8, 2022

Full Review

John Russell Taylor

Times (UK)

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

Sep 8, 2022

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Mark Johnson

Awards Daily

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

Jun 27, 2023

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LIFE Staff

LIFE

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.

Sep 8, 2022

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Penelope Gilliatt

Observer (UK)

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

Sep 8, 2022

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MG_Claymore C

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.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/18/24

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Shay C

I loved every moment of this film.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/17/23

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Michael J

Great acting and important English History. Some of the moral dilemmas were interesting food for thought as well. Highly recommended!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/28/23

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John R

Wow, this film doesn't miss a single step. Every scene is interesting, filled with colorful characters, well-written dialogue and compelling plot points. Scofield's More is almost impossible to read, which just makes him more compelling in my opinion. Robert Shaw is kind of terrifying as Henry VIII, switching between joviality and wrath in the blink of an eye. John Hurt and Leo McKern are a great, power hungry duo. Thomas More suffers persecution at the hands of a monarch who simply will not be gainsaid and goes to the block with his conscience and his principles intact. It's an interesting question, especially as a Christian myself, if I would stand and die on the same hill as More. He's essentially unwilling to countenance divorce, and given the poor reasoning for Henry VIII's divorce, I think I'd have to agree with More on the merits of the argument. Whether I'd be willing to die for it, I'm not so sure.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

04/04/23

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johnathon w

Classic period drama thanks to some brilliant acting and directing. The cast is superb across the board, with Paul Scofield genius as Sir Thomas Moore, a pious man trying to be both a servant to his king and God, especially when they conflict when one another. He is shown to be adept at navigating the legal trials while maintaining his soul. It helps he gets fantastic support from the rest of the cast, particularly Robert Shaw as King Henry VIII, his jovial charisma makes you like him even as he turns into a tyrant. Behind the camera, Fred Zinnemann expertly adapts the book, with a brilliant mix of set pieces and dialogue. Yes, it is a lot of talking but it is shot so well, along with being so good, it remains a cinematic experience. Simply put, the kind of epic period dramas they just don't make anymore.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

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Audience Member

A deliberately paced, crisply written, and stunningly acted historical drama. A Man for All Seasons is a man of conviction and principle. A true 4 star historical British film.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/19/23

Full Review

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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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A Man for All Seasons: Official Clip - I'm Not Threatened

2:41

A Man for All Seasons: Official Clip - England Needs an Heir

2:10

A Man for All Seasons: Official Clip - Whose Authority?

1:50

A Man for All Seasons: Official Clip - The End of Sir Thomas More

1:35

A Man for All Seasons: Official Clip - Addressing the Court

2:35

A Man for All Seasons: Official Clip - I Married a Lion

1:37

A Man for All Seasons: Official Clip - Rich's Perjury

2:34

A Man for All Seasons: Official Clip - Because I Believe

1:33

A Man for All Seasons: Official Clip - King Henry the VIII

2:27

A Man for All Seasons: Official Clip - Deadly Silence

1:52

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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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