Martin Luther

Play trailer

Martin Luther

Released May 8, 1953

1h 43m

Biography

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

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.

Watch on Prime Video

Stream Now

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 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

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Irving Pichel

Director

Niall MacGinnis

Martin Luther

John Ruddock

Vicar von Staupitz

Pierre Lefevre

Spalatin

Guy Verney

Melanchthon

Alastair Hunter

Carlstadt

View more photos

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

Most Popular at Home Now