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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)
Bubble View | 1 2 >> >|
Arrange By:Fresh | Rotten | Comments | Name | Source | Date
 
 
Reviews
Tomatometer Critic Review Category
tomato
3/5

Kim Newman

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: | comment Comment | Feb., 14 2007 03:17 AM

Empire Magazine

splat

Derek Adams

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: | comment Comment | Feb., 09 2006 03:16 AM

Time Out

tomato

Jon Fortgang

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: | comment Comment | Sep., 18 2003 05:09 PM

Channel 4 Film

tomato

Donald J. Levit

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: | comment Comment | Jun., 24 2009 05:14 AM

ReelTalk Movie Reviews

tomato

One of the most intelligent religious movies ever made.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Feb., 20 2009 03:38 AM

TIME Magazine

tomato
B

Dennis Schwartz

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: | comment Comment | Mar., 01 2008 10:46 AM

Ozus' World Movie Reviews

tomato
4/5

Pablo Villaca

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 | Feb., 09 2008 11:53 PM

Cinema em Cena

tomato

A.D. Murphy

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: | comment Comment | Jan., 29 2008 10:54 AM

Variety

tomato
4/4

Phil Villarreal

Zinnemann proved to be a filmmaker for all seasons.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Apr., 15 2007 10:21 AM

Arizona Daily Star

splat
2.5/5

Kent Turner

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

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Feb., 24 2007 11:56 PM

Film-Forward.com

tomato
4/4

This absorbing film features inventive camerawork and superior production values.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Dec., 13 2006 01:42 PM

TV Guide's Movie Guide

splat

Dave Kehr

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

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Dec., 13 2006 01:41 PM

Chicago Reader

tomato
4/4

Wesley Lovell

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

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Nov., 21 2006 02:05 PM

Oscar Guy

tomato
B+

Emanuel Levy

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: | comment Comment | Jul., 24 2006 08:50 AM

EmanuelLevy.Com

tomato
4/5

Dan Fienberg

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

comment Comment | Nov., 10 2005 08:10 PM

Zap2it.com

tomato
5/5

Tony Medley

A film for all seasons.

comment Comment | Aug., 12 2005 10:43 AM

tonymedley.com

tomato
3/5

Philip Martin

No review available.

comment Comment | Jul., 08 2005 09:03 AM

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

tomato
5/5

Daniel Eagan

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

comment Comment | Jul., 07 2005 01:54 PM

Film Journal International

tomato
4/5

Carol Cling

No review available.

comment Comment | Feb., 13 2004 11:17 AM

Las Vegas Review-Journal

tomato
4.5/5

Bosley Crowther

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

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | May., 20 2003 05:08 PM

New York Times

 
 
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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