Review of A Man for All Seasons (1966) by Jennifer M — 28 Jun 2008

A fantastic movie, full of memorable lines, that portrays More as a remarkably smart, witty, man of principles in an age where most in power were quite the opposite. As a obsessed fan of the series "The Tudors," it was hard for me ,at first ,to trasition from the lavish costumes, elaborate sets, unflinching realism and seething sexuality of the show to to the simpler more "old-school" Hollywood appraoch to the age in this 1966 film--but once I did-- I found the movie truely engaging.

The acting has its peaks and valleys- Orson Wells as Cardinal Wolsey is perfect (though he only has two or three scenes) and Paul Scofield deserved the Best Actor Academy Award he garnered for his compelling performance in this film.

Leo McKern as Thomas Cromwell also shines, but the actors who played Norfolk and Henry could have been better. The only thing I might have changed, would be to show more of More (ha!) before his "fall" from grace, as he was much closer to the King and court than the movie leads you to beleive.

I think htis would intensify the dramatic way in which life at Court weas unmericifully fickle, and spared not even the most upright and moral men. In short, a well-made film that reminds us all that it possible to hold tight to one's beliefs and be true to yourself, even in an age of wikedness and corruption.