A Man for All Seasons - 1966
- Director Fred Zinnemann
- Product Code: NA-7009-DRA
- Reward Points: 1
- Availability: In Stock
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Tags: A Man for All Seasons, Fred Zinnemann, 1966, historical drama, Tudor England, 16th century England, English Reformation, King Henry VIII divorce, break with Rome, Church of England formation, Catholic resistance, Sir Thomas More trial, execution by beheading, Tower of London imprisonment, British monarchy history, Renaissance politics, religious conflict England, annulment controversy, Act of Supremacy, succession to the throne, Parliament oath, treason trial, courtroom drama, moral courage, crisis of conscience, political ambition, royal court intrigue, Protestant Reformation, loyalty versus authority, capital punishment history, historical biography drama, father daughter relationship, law and religion conflict, British judicial system, historical execution, ethics versus power, Tudor dynasty, nobility and royalty, prison drama, interrogation, perjury, resignation from office, religious persecution, faith and politics, British history education, monarchy and church conflict, period costume drama, adaptation from stage play, Tony Award winning source material
Few historical dramas achieve the intellectual precision and moral intensity of A Man for All Seasons. Set in Tudor England during the seismic political shift that reshaped Christianity in Europe, the film chronicles the final years of Sir Thomas More — scholar, humanist, lawyer, and Lord Chancellor to King Henry VIII.
When Henry VIII seeks to annul his marriage to Catherine of Aragon after failing to produce a male heir, he demands recognition as Supreme Head of the Church in England. What follows is not a battle of swords, but of conscience. More refuses—not loudly, not rebelliously—but through calculated legal silence. He will not swear an oath he cannot in good conscience accept.
The brilliance of the narrative lies in its tension: can silence protect a man when power demands submission? As political allies fall away and opportunists rise, More’s moral stance isolates him. Imprisoned in the Tower of London, pressured by family, friends, and state, he remains unbroken—ultimately choosing death over spiritual compromise.
Paul Scofield’s performance is widely considered one of the greatest in cinema history—measured, intelligent, devastating in restraint. Robert Shaw’s volatile Henry VIII and Orson Welles’ commanding Cardinal Wolsey add dramatic weight to a script driven by razor-sharp dialogue.
Behind the Scenes & Curiosity:
Scofield originally played More on stage in London and Broadway before reprising the role on screen. Director Fred Zinnemann later stated this was the most harmonious production of his career. The film’s muted cinematography subtly darkens as More’s fate closes in—a visual metaphor often studied in film schools.
A film about law, faith, state power, and personal integrity—timeless, relevant, unforgettable.
| Work Record | |
| Original Title | A Man for All Seasons |
| Title | A Man for All Seasons |
| Year | 1966 |
| Direction | Fred Zinnemann |
| Countries of origin | United Kingdom |
| Gender | Biography, Drama, History, Period Drama, Historical Drama, Based On A True Story |
| Colors | Colorful |
| Cast | Anthony Nicholls, Colin Blakely, Corin Redgrave, Cyril Luckham, Eira Heath, Eric Mason, Jack Gwillim, John Hurt, John Nettleton, Leo McKern, Martin Boddey, Matt Zimmerman, Michael Latimer, Molly Urquhart, Nigel Davenport, Orson Welles, Paul Hardwick, Paul scofield, Philip Brack, Robert Shaw, Susannah York, Thomas Heathcote, Vanessa Redgrave, Wendy Hiller, Yootha Joyce |
| Duration | 120 Min. |
| Edition Record | |
| Language | English, Portuguese |
| Subtitle | German, Croatian, Danish, Spanish, Dutch, English, Italian, Polish, European Portuguese, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Ukrainian, Vietnamese |
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