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A Man For All Seasons on DVD (1966)

A Man For All Seasons cover art
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Average rating: 75%
1111291320513
3.5
from 1,022 members
 
Starring: Robert Shaw, Paul Scofield, Orson Welles, Susannah York, Wendy Hiller, Leo McKern, John Hurt
Director: Fred Zinnemann
Studio: SONY PICTURES HOME ENTERTAINMENT
Run time: 116 mins
Certificate: U
User collections: Adj's Best Films, Academy Award Winners: Best Picture, Colin Firth's Favourite Films
Genres: Drama
Languages: English
Dubbed: French, German, Italian, Spanish
Subtitles: Arabic, Bulgarian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Hindi, Hungarian, Icelandic, Italian, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Spanish, Swedish, Turkish
Released: 26/11/2001

Brief synopsis of A Man For All Seasons

A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS, based on Robert Bolt's stage play, is an excellent biographical drama about the conflicts faced by Sir Thomas More (Paul Scofield) when King Henry VIII (Robert Shaw) asks him to break with Rome and grant him a divorce. The film is a powerful, cerebral story, supported by an excellent cast that includes Orson Welles, Susannah York, John Hurt, and others. (Vanessa Redgrave, sister of star Corin Redgrave, would later participate in a well-received made-for-television remake in 1988.) The movie, directed by Fred Zinneman, was nominated for eight Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor (Scofield), and Best (Adapted) Screenplay.

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Critics Reviews

Rating of 3 stars out of 5 Radio Times

This is a creditable television version of Robert Bolt's fine play, which was itself formed into a masterly film in 1966 by Fred Zinnemann. The director this time out, unusually, is Charlton Heston, who also plays the leading role of Sir Thomas More, having at the time recently re-created the role on stage at London's Phoenix theatre. Heston's creased features and distinguished tones are well suited to the part, and his innate integrity shines through. He's well served by a distinguished British support cast that includes John Gielgud, Vanessa Redgrave and, notably, the late Roy Kinnear. Well worth watching, though no match for the Zinnemann movie in which Paul Scofield won the Oscar for best actor.

Rating of 4 
	  stars out of 4 Halliwell's Film Guide

Irreproachable film version of a play which has had its narrative tricks removed but stands up remarkably well. Acting, direction, sets, locations and costumes all have precisely the right touch.

Time Out

An agonisingly respectable, sincere film of Robert Bolt's literate play, with Scofield as Sir Thomas More, endorsing... Read more on www.timeout.com

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Members Reviews

Reviews Voted Most Helpful

Rated - 4 starsbrilliant historical drama

A customer from Nottingham, England , 01/07/2004

I found this gripping, chilling and brilliantly acted - a must for history buffs

  5 out of 6 people found this review helpful
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Rated - 5 stars

A customer from STAINES , 28/10/2004

I have seen this film a couple of times before, some years ago , but found that I could recite most of Sir Thomas Moore's lines, they are as classic and well written as Shakespeare.

This is a true tale of a man with a concience which can not be budged. It took a very brave man to stand up to Henry Tudor and his army of double dealing cronies. Thomas Moore is a supreme hero.

The star studied cast is suberb, especially John Hurt as the pivitol traitor.

  2 out of 2 people found this review helpful
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Rated - 5 starsSuperb Script

Vosblod from Brighton, England , 18/12/2005

Paul Schofield at his best with a fantastic supporting cast. I've watched this film a lot of times over the years and never got bored, the script is superb

  2 out of 2 people found this review helpful
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Most Recent Reviews

Rated - 5 starsQuality all the way

goofie from Somerset , 09/03/2004

It’s almost impossible to fault this film. All the actors are first class, the settings are realistic, at times beautiful, and the story keeps you tied in. I don’t think that Sir Thomas Moore was altogether as saintly as its made out - he did send people to be burnt at the stake after all - but its still great.

  2 out of 3 people found this review helpful
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Rated - 5 starsA must of all history buffs and classic cinema lovers alike!

AlexJ AlexJ from Durham, England , 04/09/2008

Why, oh, why can’t we make films like this anymore? This is a wonderful, excellently acted piece of drama which hasn’t dated despite the passing of the years. The case is star-studded but very much a company effort. The script, based on the popular play, is excellent and one can’t help get a shiver down the spine when you see the wonderful acting. It’s a must for all history buffs and classic cinema lovers alike.

  1 out of 1 person found this review helpful
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