A Man for All Seasons (1966)
89%RT Audience Score: 87%
Awards & Nominations: Won 6 Oscars
33 wins & 9 nominations total
Solid cinematography and enjoyable performances from Paul Scofield and Robert Shaw add a spark to this deliberately paced adaptation of the Robert Bolt play
A Man For All Seasons is a movie that will make you feel like you’re back in school, but in a good way. The story of Sir Thomas More’s stand against Henry VIII is brought to life by an excellent cast and beautiful filmmaking. It’s a religious movie that’s actually intelligent, and it’s incredibly relevant today. Plus, Paul Scofield’s performance as More is momentous, menacing, and severe, all at the same time. If you’re looking for a movie that’s both engaging and intellectually satisfying, this is the one for you.
Production Company(ies)
Selznick International Pictures,, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer,
Distributor
Columbia Pictures
Release Type
Theatrical
Filming Location(s)
Studley Priory, Horton Hill, Horton-cum-Studley, Oxfordshire, England, UK
MPAA / Certificate
G
Year of Release
1966
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Color:Color
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Sound mix:Dolby
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Aspect ratio:1.66 : 1
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Runtime:2h 0m
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Language(s):English, Latin, Spanish, French
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Country of origin:United States
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Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Dec 12, 1966 Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 20, 2007
Genre(s)
History/Drama
Keyword(s)
starring Paul Scofield, Robert Shaw, Orson Welles, Wendy Hiller, Leo McKern, Susannah York, directed by Fred Zinnemann, written by Robert Bolt, History, Drama, box office performance, budget, reviewed by Brenda Davies, Kate Cameron, Pauline Kael, Nell Minow, TIME Staff, A.D Murphy, Matthew Pejkovic, James Wegg, Mike Massie, Tim Brayton, Wendy Michener, producer Fred Zinnemann, Columbia Pictures, G MPAA rating, Sir Thomas More, King Henry VIII, Cardinal Wolsey, Alice More, Thomas Cromwell, Margaret More, Tudor England, religious principles, moral conflict, personal victory, Catholicism, annulment, treason, nobility, cinematography, minimalist, theatrical, legal, spiritual, political, human, nuanced, sophisticated, witty, audacious, tragic, hero, faith, respectability, underwhelming
Worldwide gross: NA
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): NA
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): NA
US/Canada gross: NA
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada opening weekend:
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): NA
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): NA
Production budget ranking: NA
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
ROI to date (est.): NA
ROI ranking: NA
Robert Shaw – King Henry VIII
Orson Welles – Cardinal Wolsey
Wendy Hiller – Alice More
Leo McKern – Thomas Cromwell
Susannah York – Margaret More
Director(s)
Fred Zinnemann
Writer(s)
Robert Bolt
Producer(s)
Fred Zinnemann
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
Won 6 Oscars
33 wins & 9 nominations total
Academy Awards
Oscar Best Picture Winners, Oscar Winners
All Critics (44) | Top Critics (12) | Fresh (37) | Rotten (7)
Like all Zinnemann’s best films this is a story of moral conflict and personal victory; his respect for his material and his players allows that victory real nobility.
January 28, 2020
Brenda Davies
Sight & Sound
TOP CRITIC
It is profoundly stirring in its dramatic conception, appealing as it does to the mind, heart, eye and ear.
February 18, 2015
Kate Cameron
New York Daily News
TOP CRITIC
There’s more than a little of the school pageant in the rhythm of the movie: Though it’s all neater than our school drama coaches could make it, the figures group and say their assigned lines and move on.
August 30, 2012
Pauline Kael
The New Republic
TOP CRITIC
Superb movie of More’s stand against Henry VIII.
December 21, 2010 | Rating: 5/5
Nell Minow
Common Sense Media
TOP CRITIC
One of the most intelligent religious movies ever made.
February 20, 2009
TIME Staff
TIME Magazine
TOP CRITIC
Producer-director Fred Zinnemann has blended all filmmaking elements into an excellent, handsome and stirring film version of A Man For All Seasons.
January 29, 2008
A.D. Murphy
Variety
TOP CRITIC
A robust portrayal of one mans stand for virtue against a corrupt tyranny, with the story of Sir Thomas Moore incredibly relevant today.
February 13, 2022 | Rating: 4/5
Matthew Pejkovic
Matt’s Movie Reviews
In silence is my safety.
January 17, 2022 | Rating: 4/5
James Wegg
JWR
Scofield’s screen presence is alternately momentous, menacing, and severe, with speeches and mannerisms that perfectly exude the confidence appropriate for the role.
August 27, 2020 | Rating: 6/10
Mike Massie
Gone With The Twins
More lively and biting than typical English history Oscarbait, a genuinely engaging story of political intrigue made palatable through its sharp cast and dialogue.
April 27, 2020 | Rating: 3.5/5
Tim Brayton
Alternate Ending
Bolt’s somewhat abstract arguments of honor are brought to life by Paul Scofield’s warm voice and presence.
January 28, 2020
Wendy Michener
Maclean’s Magazine
There is something deeply, intellectually satisfying in hearing someone, even someone semi-fictional, articulate one’s own ideas more eloquently and forcefully than one could oneself.
February 14, 2019 | Rating: 4/5
Kenneth R. Morefield
1More Film Blog…
Plot
The story takes place in sixteenth century England. But men like Sir Thomas More, who love life yet have the moral fiber to lay down their lives for their principles, are found in every century. Concentrating on the last seven years of the English Chancellor’s life, the struggle between More and King Henry VIII hinges on Henry’s determination to break with Rome so he can divorce his current wife and wed again, and good Catholic More’s inability to go along with such heresy. More resigns as Chancellor, hoping to be able to live out his life as a private citizen. But Henry will settle for nothing less than that the much respected More give public approval to his headstrong course.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Robert Shaw’s portrayal of King Henry VIII is described as “flamboyant and problematic” in the audience review section.
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