A Man For All Seasons

4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (286 customer reviews)
Dramatic depiction of the conflict between Henry VIII and Sir Thomas More. Winner of six Oscars(r), including Best Picture (1966), best director (Fred Zinnemann), and best actor (Paul Scofield).
  • Starring: Paul Scofield, Wendy Hiller
  • Directed by: Fred Zinnemann
  • Runtime: 2 hours 1 minute
  • Release year: 1966
  • Studio: Columbia Pictures
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Product Details
Synopsis: Dramatic depiction of the conflict between Henry VIII and Sir Thomas More. Winner of six Oscars(r), including Best Picture (1966), best director (Fred Zinnemann), and best actor (Paul Scofield).
Starring: Paul Scofield, Wendy Hiller
Supporting actors: Leo McKern, Robert Shaw, Orson Welles, Susannah York, Nigel Davenport, John Hurt, Corin Redgrave
Directed by: Fred Zinnemann
Genre: Biography, Drama, History
Runtime: 2 hours 1 minute
Captions and Subtitles: English Details
Release year: 1966
Studio: Columbia Pictures
Studio required notice: Content is protected by U.S. copyright law. Learn More.
ASIN: B001OD65MO
Rights & Requirements
Purchase rights: Stream instantly and download to 2 locations. Details
Format: Amazon Instant Video (streaming online video and digital download)

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Theatrical Release Information
  • US Theatrical Release Date: December 11, 1966
  • Production Company: Highland Films
  • Filming Locations: Beaulieu River, Hampshire, England, UK | Beaulieu, Brockenhurst, Hampshire, England, UK | Beauline Abbey, Hampshire, England, UK | Brockenhurst, Hampshire, England, UK | Hampshire, England, UK

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Customer Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
(286)
4.7 out of 5 stars
See all 286 customer reviews
“ His face was that of a man with intelligence, integrity and principles. ” Classic Movie watcher  |  85 reviewers made a similar statement
“ The Academy Awards rightfully gave this film the Oscar for Best Picture and Actor. ” Eric Venn  |  54 reviewers made a similar statement
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
148 of 152 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars While the real More was more complex - this is a GREAT movie July 23, 2003
By Craig Matteson HALL OF FAMETOP 500 REVIEWER
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
I have loved this movie since I saw it in its original release too many years ago. Certainly, Sir Thomas More was a magnificent person who died a martyr and has been canonized a saint. However, don't confuse the play and movie with the flesh and blood man. He was much more complex in real life than the purely noble performance of Paul Scofield. You can read the biography of Thomas More by Peter Ackroyd to get at some of his complexities.

But this is a wonderful movie and I recommend it with great enthusiasm. It is a powerful movie and can have some useful at least temporary curative effect on the soul suffering under the ironical detachment and cynicism of our time. Scofield is wonderful and the definitive performance of this role. Orson Welles is quite special as the corpulent and corrupt Cardinal Wolsey. John Hurt is superb as the traitor Richard Rich. Shaw is fine as Henry VIII as is the rest of the cast.

And who can forget the line where More asks to see chain of office that Richard Rich was given to perjure himself and betray More. After examining it and being told that Sir Richard was made the Attorney General of Wales More says, "Richard, it profits a man nothing to trade his soul for the whole world, but for Wales ..." Wonderful stuff.

The disk offers the wide screen theatrical release and a full screen version for those who like to see less of the picture in order to avoid the upper and lower "bars". There is also the original trailer.

There are no other features on the disk beyond scene selection.

This disk belongs in every collection and should be reviewed regularly as an healthful tonic to help remedy the bilious nihilism of our age.

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193 of 202 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars But For Wales? March 18, 2004
By the wizard of uz
Format:DVD
One of the finest films of all time, directed by Fred ( High Noon, From Here to Eternity ) Zinnemann. Among the ensemble of players are Wendy Hiller, Orson Welles, Susanna York, Robert Shaw, Leo Mc Kern and--in one of his earliest roles--a young John Hurt. Truly a cast for all seasons!

It's an acting lesson, headed by the great Paul Scofield who not only captures the essence of Sir Thomas Moore, but who does so with superb economy of motion; he hardly makes a gesture thoughout the entire film--- Duse would have loved it.

How does he do it? Well, as I said, it's an acting lesson. Suffice it to say he rightly deserved winning the Oscar.

Robert Bolt's brilliant play is a study of contrasts with a mystery at the heart of the theme: Was Moore a Saint who is now in Heaven with The Blessed, or was he a fool who could have died in his bed at a ripe old age after a lifetime of domestic felicity and the highest honors his country could bestow upon him?

If there is no God, or if you believe that the conflict between The Anglican and Catholic Churches to be of no paramount importance, is your integrity still worth losing your head on the chopping block?

Hmm. . .

Magnificent in every respect.

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141 of 149 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Thomas More -- one of the greatest men in history! April 21, 2005
By A. Delgado
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
I ordered this DVD after reading James Monti's "The King's Good Servant but God's First" (an excellent biography of Thomas More) and becoming an utter fan of the scholar and saint (I've even got a framed copy of Holbein's famous portrait of More). Not knowing what to expect, I was floored, and still am, by the genius of this film (which very closely follows Robert Bolt's outstanding play, "A Man for All Seasons" -- also available on Amazon).

I've seen the DVD over 200 times and can probably follow it word for word.

Other than Paul Scoffield's absolutely BRILLIANT performance, the other performance which shines through is that of a young, handsome John Hurt playing Richard Rich. [You might recognize Hurt as the magical wands-shopkeeper in the Harry Potter film series.]

Some of the greatest lines/scenes in this incredibly intelligent, clever film:

Richard Rich: "I'm not depressed. I'm lamenting. I've lost my innocence!" (nervously joking)
Cromwell: (snaps) "Some time ago. You only just noticed?"

As an another reviewer pointed out, More's greatest line in the film: "Why Richard, it profits a man nothing to lose his soul for the whole world... but for Wales??"

The movie is even better than the play itself, as the film refines certain elements (i.e., omits Chapuys's character, streamlines the relationship with Rich). However, the film only made VERY minor changes to the play -- since the play is quite brilliant and in no need of change -- so fans of the play will be surprised and pleased at how little the lines were changed.

I can't recommend this movie enough. Other than "The Passion of the Christ", it's my favorite film.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent!
One of the best films ever made - superb screen play and great acting. The cinematography is outstanding. I find this a very inspiring and uplifting film.
Published 16 days ago by Robert M. Held
5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic Dialogue
One of my favorite movies ever! If you are looking for the cinematography of today, you won't find it here, it's more like a play that has been filmed, but the brilliance of the... Read more
Published 17 days ago by St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church
4.0 out of 5 stars Why A Man For All Seasons is an Inspiration !Though not Accurate...
While the movie is well acted,the characters are well portrayed! The first time,i saw it at age of 15,it had a major affect on me

This was the first saint,as a... Read more
Published 19 days ago by satu
4.0 out of 5 stars Hard to hear
Movie is ok, but the sound wasn't too great. We struggled to hear some of it and when you add that to the old English, it made several parts difficult to follow.
Published 19 days ago by mom of 6
5.0 out of 5 stars Stunning!
An award winning play, a script done by the playwright himself, an incredible cast, and exceptional photography combine to create one of the greatest of the 1960s historical... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Michael J. Edelman
5.0 out of 5 stars I love the scripts, cinematography and acting
The opening scenes of the movie are visually enticing.
It drew me into the period of England very quickly. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Sheng-Chun Lo
5.0 out of 5 stars Great and accurate portrayal of the saint!
Portrays Sir Thomas More very well! I am surprised that it's rated R - I watched this with my kids and it's very appropriate for them (ages 5, 8, 9). Read more
Published 1 month ago by littlewaymk
5.0 out of 5 stars A classic
For me this movie ranks among other understated classics like Chariots of Fire and the King's Speech. In addition it presents a wealth of excellent theological ideas.
Published 1 month ago by Jonathan
5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best movies of all time!!!!
I recommend this movie to anyone who believes in God; who believes that man can transcend and rise to Him.
Published 1 month ago by Frederick J. Harrison
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
This is without a doubt my favorite movie. It is a magnificent tribute to conscience in the face of political power. Would that we had more like St. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Fr. John Putka
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What is "Special" about this "Special Edition?"
Yes, I agree that Amazon says nothing about this "Special Edition".
I also have the (regular version) film on DVD, and was wondering what makes the special edition special.
Does anyone know?
Mar 2, 2007 by C. Ferry |  See all 13 posts
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