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Martin Luther

Play trailer Poster for Martin Luther Released May 8, 1953 1h 43m Biography Play Trailer Watchlist
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Tomatometer 2 Reviews 68% Popcornmeter 500+ Ratings
In 1505, Martin Luther (Niall MacGinnis) abandons his law studies to become a monk. After being ordained a priest, Luther grows increasingly troubled by the Catholic Church's practices, including using Latin during services and offering absolution -- known as indulgences -- for sinners. In 1517, Pope Leo X (Philip Leaver) tries to bring the church much-needed money by selling indulgences. Outraged, Luther writes down his famous 95 Theses, publicly challenging church dogma.

Critics Reviews

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Manny Farber The Nation While De Rochemont's film may be somewhat tepid as biography and motionless as a movie, it is unique in its class in that it makes its play more to the mind than to the eye. Nov 24, 2020 Full Review Clyde Gilmour Maclean's Magazine As a motion picture which frankly expounds one creed's point of view, this biography of the father of Protestantism is a powerful human document. Nov 13, 2019 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Audience Member loved it, id say this was a better religious movie than the ones made now a days. most of its drivel, if the people that make movies now, made them like they do this one. i would actually go to the theaters to watch them. but aside that, i would recommend this one, its old and in black n white, but wow did it impress me. worth a watch. worth a blu ray too if i might add. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/24/23 Full Review Audience Member While one may question the accuracy of a film about Martin Luther produced by the Lutheran Church, the film is top rate drama and quite accurate. The casting is almost perfect: Luther looks like Luther, Pope Leo looks like Pope Leo, Melanchthon looks like Melanchthon. The Diet of Worms is portrayed with great intensity and the film does not descend into an anti-Catholic rant. Staupitz, for instance is a gentle character distressed by Luther's break with the church. There are touches of humor (the proposal to Katherine von Bora). Spalatin provides the continuity thread throughout the film. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/22/23 Full Review Audience Member I like this movie. Martin Luther was as worthy and courageous as our Martin Luther King Jr. Both have changed the world. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 02/22/23 Full Review Audience Member Rather dated, but actually quite a good bio-pic detailing the significant happenings in the life of one of history's great liberators. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/11/23 Full Review Audience Member In honor of Reformation Day we watched Martin Luther. How great to be reminded. So many words of wisdom! Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 02/14/23 Full Review Audience Member Things about this one I like better than the new one Luther, but some things about this I like least. Still worth the watch! Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/08/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Martin Luther

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Cast & Crew

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Irving Pichel

Director

Niall MacGinnis

Martin Luther

John Ruddock

Vicar von Staupitz

Pierre Lefevre

Spalatin

Guy Verney

Melanchthon

Alastair Hunter

Carlstadt
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Martin Luther

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Movie Info

Synopsis In 1505, Martin Luther (Niall MacGinnis) abandons his law studies to become a monk. After being ordained a priest, Luther grows increasingly troubled by the Catholic Church's practices, including using Latin during services and offering absolution -- known as indulgences -- for sinners. In 1517, Pope Leo X (Philip Leaver) tries to bring the church much-needed money by selling indulgences. Outraged, Luther writes down his famous 95 Theses, publicly challenging church dogma.
Director
Irving Pichel
Producer
Lothar Wolff
Screenwriter
Allan Sloane, Lothar Wolff
Production Co
Louis De Rochemont Associates, The Lutheran Church in America
Genre
Biography
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
May 8, 1953, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 20, 2016
Runtime
1h 43m
Sound Mix
Mono
Aspect Ratio
35mm