Fred Zinneman directs this excellent biographical drama about the conflicts faced by Sir Thomas More (Paul Scofield) when King Henry VIII asks him to break with the Pope and grant him a divorce. Based on Robert Bolt's stage play, A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS is a powerful, cerebral story, supported by an excellent cast and characterization. Vanessa Redgrave would later participate in a well-received made-for-television remake in 1988. This biographical drama earned eight Academy Award nominations and six wins, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor (Paul Scofield), and Best (Adapted) Screenplay.
When Henry VIII's first wife, Catherine of Aragon, is unable to produce an heir to the throne, he uses that as a pretext for the pope to grant him a divorce, so he can marry his newest conquest, Anne Boleyn.
The King is backed by everyone on this request except the highly regarded and religious Sir Thomas More. When Cardinal Wolsey, Chancellor of England, names More as his successor, it becomes important for Henry to get More's support, but More cannot be swayed.
Henry demands the clergy to renounce the Pope and to name him Head of the Church of England. Oliver Cromwell frames More, forcing him to resign as Chancellor. Eventually More is brought to trial, found guilty of treason, and beheaded.
DVD Features:
Special Edition
Anamorphic Widescreen - 1.85
Full Frame - 1.33
Audio:
Dolby Digital 5.1 - English
Mono - Parisian French
Subtitles - English - Closed Captioning
Subtitles - English, Parisian French, Brazilian Portuguese - Optional
Sound
Bob Jones: Sound Mixer, Recordist, Re-Recordist, mid '50s-early '80s
Review 1:
"[Welles is] quite vivid in this Oscar-winning version of Robert Bolt's play..."
Source: Premiere
p.99 05/01/2006
Review 2:
5 stars out of 5 -- "Chock full of notable British actors, this is an absorbing and compelling piece of writing and acting..."
Source: Ultimate DVD
p.124 05/01/2007
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