A Man for All Seasons

The Husband picked this one for tonight's movie. A Man for All Seasons is a 1966 film adaptation of the Robert Bolt play that tells the story of the conflict between now-Saint Thomas More and King Henry VIII. The film is directed by Fred Zinnemann and stars Paul Scofield as Thomas More, Robert Shaw as Henry VIII, Susannah York (Mrs. Cratchit from the George C. Scott Christmas Carol) as More's daughter, Orson Welles as Cardinal Wolsey, Wendy Hiller as More's wife, Nigel Davenport (Scrooge's father from the George C. Scott Christmas Carol) as Duke of Norfolk, and John Hurt as Richard Rich. Vanessa Redgrave has a cameo as Anne Boleyn. Leo McKern makes a perfect Cromwell. I just love Leo McKern. He has his own Facebook page. You can read a script of the movie here. Watch it online here:


Our DVD has an interesting "special feature" on the life of Thomas More.

This movie is #27 on the ArtsAndFaith.com list of 100 most spiritually significant films. The New York Times says it is "a picture that inspires admiration, courage and thought." DecentFilms.com says, "This is a great film. I believe it is the most profound cinematic depiction of the life of any saint." Variety has a review. FerdieOnFilm reviews it in memory of Paul Scofield during the week of his death.