Wednesday, October 11, 2006
A Man for All Seasons
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: This is one of those movies that, when we stumble across it on TV we always watch. It enthralls both of us. We never tire of it. There isn't a false note in the casting. As well, Shaw brings a special, light, provocative touch of madness to his portrayal of Henry VIII that is thrilling to glimpse. This will be a perennial favorite of ours.
Update 5/15/2022: I have to mention, this movie remains a perennial favorite of mine. I watched it last a few months ago. It's partly the actors, partly the setting and partly the politics, especially in the subtle ways Henry asserts his dominance on everyone, and in the ways subtly defies Henry's dominance.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Paul Scofield Sir Thomas More Wendy Hiller Alice More Leo McKern Thomas Cromwell Orson Welles Cardinal Wolsey Robert Shaw Henry VIII Susannah York Margaret More Nigel Davenport Duke of Norfolk John Hurt Richard Rich Corin Redgrave William Roper Colin Blakely Matthew Cyril Luckham Archb. Thomas Cranmer Vanessa Redgrave Anne Boleyn
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1966
Directed by Fred Zinnemann.
Labels: drama9, historical3, john-hurt, political3, religion1, royals, shared-favorite, wendy-hiller
