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Movies / On DVD / A Man for All Seasons
A Man for All Seasons

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A Man for All Seasons (1966)

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Reviews Counted:27

Fresh:23

Rotten:4

Average Rating:7.8/10

Consensus: Solid cinematography and enjoyable performances from Paul Scofield and Robert Shaw add a spark to this deliberately paced adaptation of the Robert Bolt play.

Runtime: 2 hrs 48 mins

Genre: Dramas

Synopsis: 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,... 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. [More]

Starring: Paul Scofield, Wendy Hiller, Leo McKern, Robert Shaw

Starring: Paul Scofield, Wendy Hiller, Leo McKern, Robert Shaw, Orson Welles, Susannah York

Director: Fred Zinnemann

Director: Fred Zinnemann

[See More Credits]

Reviews for A Man for All Seasons

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1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
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Prestigious, well turned out piece of British historical drama with enough genuine intrigue and wit to persuade some audiences they aren't watching a history lesson.

Full Review Source: Empire Magazine | comment Comment
02/14/07
Kim Newman
Kim Newman
Empire Magazine
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Orson Welles alone relieves the boredom in a marvellous cameo as Cardinal Wolsey. If only they'd let him loose with the whole sorry history...

Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
02/09/06
Derek Adams
Derek Adams
Time Out
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Bolt's writing is elegant, vivid, shot through with a mounting sense of irony, and both Scofield and Shaw clearly relish their roles.

Full Review Source: Film4 | comment Comment
09/18/03
Jon Fortgang
Jon Fortgang
Film4
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Political, religious and personal niceties of the period are streamlined, and the movie concentrates on the impressive steadfastness of Sir Thomas More.

Full Review Source: ReelTalk Movie Reviews | comment Comment
06/24/09
Donald J. Levit
Donald J. Levit
ReelTalk Movie Reviews

One of the most intelligent religious movies ever made.

Full Review Source: TIME Magazine | comment Comment
02/20/09
TIME Magazine
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

The dry film, more boring than it had a right to be, nevertheless was sincere and won an Oscar for Best Picture.

Full Review Source: Ozus' World Movie Reviews | comment Comment
03/01/08
Dennis Schwartz
Dennis Schwartz
Ozus' World Movie Reviews

Ainda que a abordagem de Zinnemann não consiga contornar a natureza essencialmente teatral do roteiro, as atuações (especialmente de Scofield, brilhante) e os diálogos absurdamente elegantes e bem construídos mantêm o filme sempre instigante.

comment Comment
02/09/08
Pablo Villaca
Pablo Villaca
Cinema em Cena

Producer-director Fred Zinnemann has blended all filmmaking elements into an excellent, handsome and stirring film version of A Man For All Seasons.

Full Review Source: Variety | comment Comment
01/29/08
A.D. Murphy
A.D. Murphy
Variety
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Zinnemann proved to be a filmmaker for all seasons.

Full Review Source: Arizona Daily Star | comment Comment
04/15/07
Phil Villarreal
Phil Villarreal
Arizona Daily Star

Waiting for More's breaking point provides the only thread of suspense.

Full Review Source: Film-Forward.com | comment Comment
02/24/07
Kent Turner
Kent Turner
Film-Forward.com

This absorbing film features inventive camerawork and superior production values.

Full Review Source: TV Guide's Movie Guide | comment Comment
12/13/06
TV Guide's Movie Guide
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Robert Bolt's boring historical drama functions best as an anthology of British acting styles, circa 1966.

Full Review Source: Chicago Reader | comment Comment
12/13/06
Dave Kehr
Dave Kehr
Chicago Reader

One man's conviction against the tyranny of Henry VIII makes for an intriguing drama in A Man for All Seasons

Full Review Source: Oscar Guy | comment Comment
11/21/06
Wesley Lovell
Wesley Lovell
Oscar Guy

Splendidly acted by Paul Scofield and Robert Shaw, this version of Robert Bolt's play about the conflict between Church and State suffers from Zinnemann's restrained, middlebrow sensibility, the kind of which impresses Academy voters, hence the Oscar.

Full Review Source: EmanuelLevy.Com | comment Comment
07/24/06
Emanuel Levy
Emanuel Levy
EmanuelLevy.Com

It's basically a play, but the script is so good and Scofield is masterful.

comment Comment
11/10/05
Dan Fienberg
Dan Fienberg
Zap2it.com

A film for all seasons.

comment Comment
08/12/05
Tony Medley
Tony Medley
tonymedley.com

No review available.

comment Comment
07/08/05
Philip Martin
Philip Martin
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Outstanding adaptation of Robert Bolt's play detailing battle between Sir Thomas More and King Henry VIII

comment Comment
07/07/05
Daniel Eagan
Daniel Eagan
Film Journal International

No review available.

comment Comment
02/13/04
Carol Cling
Carol Cling
Las Vegas Review-Journal

A Man for All Seasons is a picture that inspires admiration, courage and thought.

Full Review Source: New York Times | comment Comment
05/20/03
Bosley Crowther
Bosley Crowther
New York Times
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
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Latest News for A Man for All Seasons

March 20, 2008: Paul Scofield: 1922-2008
David Paul Scofield, Oscar-winning British actor of stage and screen died from complications related to leukemia in a hospital near his home in Sussex. He was 86. More...

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