A Man for All Seasons (1966)
Director: Fred Zinnemann
Writers: Robert Bolt
A Man for All Seasons, released in the year of 1966, was about Thomas More, a great Renaissance man as well as a man of the Age of Reformation. In Great Britain and the U.S., the film successfully made $20,000,000. It won a several awards: Academy Awards for Best Adapted Screenplay, cinematography, costume design, best director, and best picture. On top of that, Paul Scofield, who played Sir Thomas More, won the Best Actor Oscar.
As it was recognized by the public, A Man for All Seasons is truly a wonderful movie. Initially, I had not expected much because I watched it in a social studies class and didn’t think a historical movie about Thomas More would be entertaining. But surprisingly, I found myself fully engaged in the movie.
Check out the trailer:
The movie begins with Thomas More meeting with Wolsey. Right off the bat, the movie shows More’s strong determination to be justice.
“I think that when statesmen forsake their own private conscience for the sake of their public duties they lead their country by a short route to chaos.”
Richard Rich wants to work in the court, looking only at the status he will gain. His mind is filled with greed which is symbolized by his action: he gladly takes the silver cup. I dislike Richard Rich (I’m pretty sure that other people will too if they know the history or watch the movie) for he is the evil of the evils, and he surely represents the fall of human dignity of the era. Lies… betrayals…
In my opinion, the saddest scene of the movie was when More’s family went in to persuade More to sign the oath and come out. More’s heart was bleeding, I bet, to send them off while knowing he would not be able to see them again… The way More tried to comfort his wife, Lady Alice, by complimenting her custard and her dress made me cry so much because that was all he could do for her.
More loves his family deeply, but he cannot deny his dignity, the truth, and God, therefore, he cannot leave with them.
The fact that he had to suffer like this aches my heart.. He was one of the fewest people of the time who tried to change the society, but his life went to waste because of those who comformed to the society ruled by the human laws.
“When a man takes an oath, he's holding his own self in his own hands... Iike water. And if he opens his fingers then, he needn't hope to find himself again.”
"I am the King's true subject… and I pray for him and all the realm. I do none harm. I say none harm. I think none harm. And if this be not enough to keep a man alive then in good faith, I long not to live."Thomas More truly hoped to make England a better place by promoting the law of nature. He can rightfully say the above quotation because a man who has faith and loyalty towards his nation, he ought to be praised not condemned..
Even to the end, this movie made me cry. The charitable characteristic of Thomas More moves the deepest part of my heart. He right away forgives the axe man. He is kind even to his enemies.
I focused greatly on the story of the movie, but I must add that Paul Scofield did a fantastic job in acting as Sir Thomas More. It really made me believe Paul Scofield was Thomas More; that's how realistic his acting was. This wasn't a movie. I felt as if I was watching Thomas More's life, literally.
Furthermore, the movie made me respect Thomas More sincerely. Although he feared of what would happen to him (death), he pursued what was right instead of conforming with what others believed.
Lastly, I want to add that this movie had a beautiful scenary...!
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