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Paul Scofield, Wendy Hiller, Leo McKern, Robert Shaw, Orson Welles ... see more see more... , Susannah York , Nigel Davenport , John Hurt , Corin Redgrave , Colin Blakely , Yootha Joyce , Martin Boddey , Philip Brack , Paul Hardwick , Eira Heath , Thomas Heathcote , Michael Latimer , Cyril Luckham , Eric Mason , John Nettleton , Anthony Nicholls , Vanessa Redgrave , Molly Urquhart , Matt Zimmerman , Jack Gwyllim

Adapted by Robert Bolt and Constance Willis from Bolt's hit stage play, A Man for All Seasons stars Paul Scofield, triumphantly repeating his stage role as Sir Thomas More. The crux of the film is the... read more read more... staunchly Catholic More's refusal to acknowledge King Henry VIII (Robert Shaw)'s break from the church to divorce his first wife and marry Anne Boleyn (an unbilled Vanessa Redgrave). Sir Thomas willingly goes to the chopping block rather than sacrifice his ideals. Director Fred Zinnemann retains the play's verbosity without sacrificing the film's strong sense of visuals. The impeccably chosen cast includes Wendy Hiller as Sir Thomas' likably contentious wife Alice, John Hurt as the deceitful Richard Rich (More's put-downs of this despicable character provide some of the film's biggest laughs), Orson Welles as a dour Cardinal Woolsey, Leo McKern as the ambitious Thomas Cromwell, and Susannah York as More's daughter Margaret. The "Common Man," an important bridging-the-scenes character in the original play, is removed from the film version, which does just fine without him. A Man for All Seasons won six Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor, as well as seven British Film Academy awards. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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28 critics

G, 2 hr. 1 min.

Directed by: Fred Zinnemann

Release Date: December 12, 1966

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DVD Release Date: February 2, 1999

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Stats: 734 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (734)

  • cosmo313
    March 19, 2012
    cosmo313
    This is a film based on a play based on the true life story of Sir Thomas More, a staunch Catholic who was so firm in his convictions, that he became a martyr for refusing to compromise his beliefs by signing an agreement that would recognize King Henry VIII's marriage to Anne B... read moreoleyn.

    It makes sense that this stroy was an adaptation of a play since it is besaically stage and executed like one for basically the entire running time. This is a historical drama (which the Academy loves), so it makes sense also that this won some of the Big Awards, including Best Picture.

    I do love historicla movies, but this is one of those cases where a film that's feverishly historically accurate doesn't always mean it's going to be an enjoyable one...at least not for those looking for something with mainstream appeal and accessibility.

    There's basically no action, and it's almost entirely a philosophical discussion/character study about two vastly dfifferent men with extremely clashing views/personalities. I dug it for the most part, but admittedly did find it hard to sit through and kinda boring here and there.

    Still though, you gotta give a lot of credit to it for the stellar cinematography, art direction, set design, and costumes. The attention to period details and historical accuracy are also to be appluaded, but it probably couldn't have hurt to put in some more action or somehting just to liven things up on occasion.

    The direction is okay, but Zinnemann has done far better work. The writing is quite sharp and really nails the characters and subject matter, but what really sells the film are the performances. Paul Scofield reprises his role from the play, and rightfully earned an Oscar for his superb work. Robvert Shaw was awesome as Henry VIII, and he's definitely an actor worth checking out if all you know of him is his brilliant work in Jaws. Other notables in the cast invlude Vanessa Redgrave as Anne Boleyn, John Hurt as Richasrd RIch, and Orson Welles, whose turn as Cardinal Wolsey is terrific just ofr the sheer fact that it's cool to see him rocking the always photogenic Cardinal robes.

    This is a hard film to get into, and more for the patient intellectuals than those who like action oriented history based works, but it's got some great themes and materia lworth discussing, so all in all, it's a fine film, but not one I would necessarily say is totally deserving of Best Picture.
  • bathshebamonk
    January 10, 2012
    bathshebamonk
    I saw this play as a kid--I was raised Catholic, so this was seen as the triumph of a martyr for his faith--and saw just last night again on DVD. It's probably one of those stories (like Anna Karenina) that it's interesting to view at different stages of your life. So, now as a... read more mature woman, I saw the story as that of a man who is steadfast in his refusal to change while the winds of change blow him off his pedestal. I saw loyalty to a corrupt church: but as he says, the Catholic church was the only one with a pedigree from JC. His son-in-law was adamant that he destroy everything corrupt, not realising as I do with the advantage of advanced years hahaha, that man is corrupt and killing a few doesn't change corruption, it just changes the names of the people in charge. The final question is what are you willing to die for, remembering of course that the life span was a lot shorter then. The questions the story of Thomas Moore raises are complex and the answers not easily apparent and I think it might be good for youngins to view it as a way into the complex ideas of life now--nothing is black and white.
  • 366weirdmovies
    March 6, 2008
    366weirdmovies
    With lawerly integrity, Sir Thomas More poltiely defies Henry VIII's increasingly threatening demands that he publically approve of Henry's divorce and break with the Roman Catholic Church. Released in 1966, More's principled, moving and fatal civil disobedience struck a univers... read moreal chord and made this intricate character driven historical costume drama a surprise hit.
  • kenstachnik
    March 1, 2008
    kenstachnik
    There is something oddly intreageing about this film. I normally don't enjoy this kind of thing, but I found this very entertaining.

    Great dialog helps make the 120 minutes fly by.
  • garyX
    February 19, 2007
    garyX
    Classic peiord drama/morality tale that is clearly based on a stage-play; the acting and dialogue are expertly done, but action junkies will find it rather uneventful.
  • staindslaved
    March 9, 2012
    staindslaved
    A Man for All Seasons is a well constructed film with period era costumes and glorious cinematography but for characters besides Paul Scofield's Thomas More are compelling (or interesting) to watch and the screenplay leaves the whole film to be an unjoyous and even hollow affair.... read more While the dialog and pacing does not make the film too hard to understand ones mind can go through long stretches of boredom and fade in and out of the story. The Academy Awards of the 60's liked big lavish affairs and A Man for All Seasons is certainly that, though I don't think the film today holds a candle to the film from the 60's.
  • michaelcorleone
    January 30, 2009
    michaelcorleone
    The subject matter at the foundation of this film is very interesting, but the execution lacks narrative fire and is, for the most part, dull. The acting all around is impressive, and Zinnemann's direction gives the movie a handsome visual texture, but overall it's a pretty under... read morewhelming experience.
  • zeravenyoej
    June 1, 2007
    zeravenyoej
    SO BORING. I watched it for class....but ended up turning it off anyway. I figured bs-ing an essay was better than finishing this.
  • Ivan6655321
    August 21, 2010
    Ivan6655321
    God-given morality and principles clashing with the established order: That's the main theme that runs throughout the film, and even though it's heavy-handed with dialogues(for it being based on a play), I was never bored, nor did my interest faltered. Paul Scofield was(insert an... read morey superlative praise here) as Thomas More, a man who fought Henry VIII's morally questionable marriage to Anne Boleyn, not by too much of words, but by the mere power of silence, and a constant strength of his convictions. With a film like this, one can even predict halfway through that this would certainly climax in a trial scene(and I was certainly right), with the actor portraying the protagonist uttering some 3-page long oration. But I was quite surprised at how Paul Scofield has done that particular scene. He has portrayed Thomas More as a worn-out individual, and though capable of answering and speaking, chooses not to do much. Instead of a sprawling speech that I have expected, I have witnessed a very brief one, but with a power never much diminished by its shortness. Apart from it being a showcase of some very fine acting, "A Man for all Seasons" has also showed the "not-so-likable" side of 16th century England, perfectly countered with a very moving story of unconditional martyrdom.
  • simeondeutsch1
    August 12, 2010
    simeondeutsch1
    Certifies John Hurt, Orson Welles, Robert Shaw, and Paul Scofield as brilliant actors. The historical screenplay is used as a background to show off the acting and the ostentatious set pieces, cinematography. and costumes. Fantastic film.

    Should this have won Best Picture: Mos... read moret historical dramas might deserve to win a few technical awards, but once in a full moon when they have amazing acting; then they completely deserve whatever awards possible. 99/100

View All A Man for All Seasons Reviews

Critic Reviews

February 20, 2009
TIME Magazine

One of the most intelligent religious movies ever made. Full Review

A.D. Murphy
January 29, 2008
A.D. Murphy, Variety

Producer-director Fred Zinnemann has blended all filmmaking elements into an excellent, handsome and stirring film version of A Man For All Seasons. Full Review

Dave Kehr
December 13, 2006
Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader

Robert Bolt's boring historical drama functions best as an anthology of British acting styles, circa 1966. Full Review

Bosley Crowther
May 20, 2003
Bosley Crowther, New York Times

A Man for All Seasons is a picture that inspires admiration, courage and thought. Full Review

Nell Minow
December 21, 2010
Nell Minow, Common Sense Media

Superb movie of More's stand against Henry VIII. Full Review

Donald J. Levit
June 24, 2009
Donald J. Levit, ReelTalk Movie Reviews

Political, religious and personal niceties of the period are streamlined, and the movie concentrates on the impressive steadfastness of Sir Thomas More. Full Review

Dennis Schwartz
March 1, 2008
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews

The dry film, more boring than it had a right to be, nevertheless was sincere and won an Oscar for Best Picture. Full Review

Pablo Villaca
February 9, 2008
Pablo Villaca, Cinema em Cena

Ainda que a abordagem de Zinnemann não consiga contornar a natureza essencialmente teatral do roteiro, as atuações (especialmente de Scofield, brilhante) e os diálogos absurdamente elegantes e bem con...

Phil Villarreal
April 15, 2007
Phil Villarreal, Arizona Daily Star

Zinnemann proved to be a filmmaker for all seasons. Full Review

Kent Turner
February 24, 2007
Kent Turner, Film-Forward.com

Waiting for More's breaking point provides the only thread of suspense. Full Review

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    • Thomas More: When statesmen forsake their own private conscience for the sake of their public duties, they lead their country by a short route to chaos.
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A Man for All Seasons Trivia

  • who sings a man for all seasons for the film johnny english?  Answer »
  • What 1966 film won 6 Academy Awards including: Best Picture, best Actor(Paul Scofield), and Best Director(Fred Zinnemann)  Answer »
  • Which of these films, nominated in 1967, took home the Oscar for Best Picture?  Answer »
  • who directed a man for all seasons?  Answer »
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