Luther poster & wallpaper
Get movie widget Recommend it Add to Favorites

Joseph Fiennes, Alfred Molina, Claire Cox, Peter Ustinov, Herb Andress ... see more see more... , Mathieu Carriere , Bruno Ganz , Marco Hofschneider , Uwe Ochsenknecht , Jochen Horst , Lars Rudolph , Jonathan Firth , Benjamin Sadler , Jeff Caster , Torben Liebrecht , Maria Simon , Christopher Buchholz , Doris Prusova , Anatole Taubman

The life of one of the controversial figures in the history of modern religion is brought to the screen in this historical biography. Born in 1483, Martin Luther (Joseph Fiennes) was an intelligent an... read more read more...d principled young man who was studying law in early 16th century Germany when a close brush with death led him to follow a spiritual path and join a Catholic monastery. Under the guidance of Johann von Staupitz (Bruno Ganz), Luther became a valued member of the monastery's hierarchy, and as a sign of his trust, von Staupitz asked Luther to join him for a voyage to Rome as part of church business. Luther was appalled by the corrupt practices of the leading church officials, in particular the sale of "indulgences," in which the wealthy could purchase forgiveness for a wide variety of sins. Luther left the monastery to study theology in Wittenberg; a keen student, he later became a professor and won the support of Frederick the Wise (Peter Ustinov), who also recognized the potential controversy of Luther's iron principles. When a new pope, Leo X, assumes the throne at the Vatican, he orders the construction of St. Peter's Basilica. To pay the costs, an ambitious monk, Johann Tetzel (Alfred Molina), was sent out to sell indulgences to both the wealthy and the poor, leaving his audiences with little doubt of the eternal consequences that awaited those who did not empty their purses. An infuriated Luther wrote an angry essay on the corruption of the church entitled "95 Theses," and thanks to the recent invention of the printing press, Luther's words were soon circulated throughout Europe, leading to an angry conflict with Catholic officials which threatened to tear the church in two. Luther also features supporting performances from Claire Cox as Katharina von Bora and Jonathan Firth as Girolamo Aleandro. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Flixster Users

75% liked it

8,261 ratings

Critics

44% liked it

61 critics

PG-13, 2 hr.

Directed by: Eric Till

Release Date: September 26, 2003

Invite friends to see

DVD Release Date: August 31, 2004

Get It:

Stats: 790 reviews

report incorrect info

Photos

None yet... Got one?

Your Rating


clear rating

Flixster Reviews (790)

  • sanjurosamurai
    July 11, 2008
    sanjurosamurai
    fantastic film. accurate and very well acted, great portayal of the start of the reformation
  • ironclad1609
    October 19, 2006
    ironclad1609
    Pretty interesting history lesson on the life of Martin Luther. Rather quick paced and with a very colorful international cast. Including the wonderful Sir Peter Ustinow in his last big role. Well done.
  • mrbungle7821
    February 27, 2006
    mrbungle7821
    [center][color=darkred][font=Arial][size=3][font=Perpetua][img]http://img150.imageshack.us/img150/5268/photo012ol.jpg[/img][/font][/size][/font][/color][/center]
    [color=darkred][font=Arial][size=3][font=Perpetua][/font][/size][/font][/color]
    [color=darkred][font=Arial][size=3][fo... read morent=Perpetua]Certain things can pass under my radar. Previously it?s been items like female flirtation and the due dates of papers. So imagine my befuddled surprise when last weekend my father, himself a Lutheran minister, said the family was going to hop on over to the movie theater and catch a historic bio-flick about Martin Luther, plainly titled [i]Luther[/i]. I had no idea this movie existed. And after seeing it, it left no strong memory that it did.[/font][/size][/font][/color]
    [color=darkred][font=Arial][size=3][font=Perpetua][/font][/size][/font][/color]
    [color=darkred][font=Arial][size=3][font=Perpetua][/font][/size][/font][/color][color=darkred][font=Arial][size=3][font=Perpetua]Luther (Joseph Fiennes, [i]Shakespeare in Love[/i]) is a 16th century German monk with some quibbles with the Catholic Church. Seems Luther doesn?t like how the Church is preying upon people?s faith for money, most notably its chief indulgence seller Johann Tetzel (Alfred Molina, with a criminally scant appearance). He makes up a list of 95 grievances, nails them to the doors of a church, and thus Protestantism is born. Luther?s ideas catch on wit the lower classes through rampant publication, thanks to the newfound printing press. The princes of the German states also like what this monk is cooking, and they decide to hold him in safety. The Catholic Church, however, is none too pleased. They threaten excommunication and eventually death, and keep pushing for Luther to recant. But Luther feels he must stand strong in his convictions.[/font][/size][/font][/color]
    [color=darkred][font=Arial][size=3][font=Perpetua][/font][/size][/font][/color]
    [color=darkred][font=Arial][size=3][font=Perpetua][/font][/size][/font][/color][color=darkred][font=Arial][size=3][font=Perpetua]The acting is fine, and the direction is passable, but the pacing of [i]Luther[/i] is like tracking the movement of a glacier. Some representative decisions are also fairly stupid. To try and communicate Luther?s internal struggle he hits his head and yells like at voices. The first time it?s funny. The next five times, it?s dumb. There?s also a dirty peasant child, who?s crippled but still a big fan of the Luther Man. Her gaping tooth smile has more screen time than some characters. Later in the film the peasant revolts ravage through the country with thousands massacred. Luther visits the ruins and comes across the little girl?s broken crutch and breaks down and cries. If you were in my theater you probably heard me hitting my forehead repeatedly (no voices though). [/font][/size][/font][/color]
    [color=darkred][font=Arial][size=3][font=Perpetua][/font][/size][/font][/color]
    [color=darkred][font=Arial][size=3][font=Perpetua][/font][/size][/font][/color][color=darkred][font=Arial][size=3][font=Perpetua]The film is an admirable effort, but [i]Luther[/i] ultimately fails because of the measures of film. To try and tell the story of Luther would be more appropriate for the confines of a miniseries, not a two-hour movie. The Reformation and its players lose its impact in such a shrift retelling. What the audience gets is a pared Cliff notes version that misses the richness, and gives lip service to the historical importance. What we?re left with are endless scenes where people dress up and talk and talk and talk. Without a sense of weight for character or story, the countless talky moments blur into tedium. If I had a sleeping bag with me I would have curled up into it.[/font][/size][/font][/color]
    [color=darkred][font=Arial][size=3][font=Perpetua][/font][/size][/font][/color]
    [color=darkred][font=Arial][size=3][font=Perpetua][/font][/size][/font][/color][color=darkred][font=Arial][size=3][font=Perpetua]Another problem is the lack of makeup. The film spans thirty-some years and yet Fiennes doesn?t age a day. My mother proposed that maybe he didn?t want to look old and decrepit in the film. I responded by saying, ?He let them shave his head but he didn?t want anybody to splash some gray in his hair??[/font][/size][/font][/color]
    [color=darkred][font=Arial][size=3][font=Perpetua][/font][/size][/font][/color]
    [color=darkred][font=Arial][size=3][font=Perpetua][/font][/size][/font][/color][color=darkred][font=Arial][size=3][font=Perpetua]I guess if you judge movies on costumes or production values, [i]Luther [/i]would be competent. But does anyone go to a film saying, ?Man, I sure hope those costumes and sets are incredible! Fingers crossed!?? [i]Luther[/i] is a well-meaning bore that only historical enthusiasts and Lutherans might enjoy.[/font][/size][/font][/color]
    [color=darkred][font=Arial][size=3][font=Perpetua][/font][/size][/font][/color]
    [color=darkred][font=Arial][size=3][font=Perpetua][/font][/size][/font][/color][font=Perpetua][font=Arial][color=darkred]Nate's Grade: C[/color][/font][/font]
  • fb1619601747
    June 18, 2011
    fb1619601747
    The director just didn't get it right. The acting sucks too. I liked some of the set pieces, I guess. Pretty tedious story-telling.
  • DrLappos
    September 18, 2007
    DrLappos
    The man is a Protestant God!
  • JonathanMorganFilms
    December 3, 2011
    JonathanMorganFilms
    The most boring history lesson I've ever had to endure. However, watching Ralph Fiennes lesser known brother Joseph Fiennes running around in a cell yelling at the devil (who wasn't there) was rather entertaining.
  • moviegirl50
    November 13, 2011
    moviegirl50
    Story of Martin Luther's crusade to end tyranny in the Roman Catholic church and his success in bringing the scriptures to the German people in their own language....Good true story...unbelievable what they went through.
  • terris85017
    July 9, 2011
    terris85017
    "Just when we needed unity the most, you [Mon Martin Luther defies the Vatican]" the Cardinal reprimands Luther for printing his opinion in opposition to the Church collecting money for indulgences. Based on the tru story of the German monk Martin Luther (Joseph Fiennes-Elizabe... read moreth) who translated the bible into the language of the common man.[German] His convictions changed history! Burned many many to his mind vulgar paintings, but is widely revered for his courage in opposing the corruption of the Roman Catholic church and the newly appointed Pope Leo X.

    To myself, a nonCatholic, this movie seemed quite dramatic and ostentatious. Naturally, Luther as a consequence for his seeming ignorance & continued unacceptance of the actions opposing the Vatican was intimidated and eventually tried. Only barely escaping execution for his tyrrany! He is aided by a very wise old German ruler Frederick the Wise (Peter Ustinov) + perhaps by the hand of God escaped execution by the Inquisition. Quite the story.

    Watch this movie for some amazing performances of the dynamic cast, including the jolly and rotund Peter Ustinov late in his life.
    A long movie but worth watching for the amazing cast and performances. Looking into the eyes of innocence of Fiennes portraying this young, brilliant monk is a spiritual journey in itself!
  • kayinpa
    January 29, 2009
    kayinpa
    Very interesting movie about the life of Martin Luther. It probably could have gone a bit deeper, but still touching. My favorite scene is when he will not recant.
  • Catieliz
    December 21, 2008
    Catieliz
    Really good movie on Martain Luther and how the Bible was translteed for the commn mand and the catholic church lost control of some of the people.

View All Luther Reviews

Critic Reviews

Susan Walker
October 22, 2004
Susan Walker, Toronto Star

Luther is rarely presented as anything other than a preacher. He preaches even in casual conversation. Full Review

Leah McLaren
October 22, 2004
Leah McLaren, Globe and Mail

About as swashbuckling as a history lesson gets. Full Review

Michael Booth
November 21, 2003
Michael Booth, Denver Post

A few too many amateurish techniques and oversimplified confrontations hold Luther back a notch or two from greatness, and stamp it instead as entertaining Lutheran cheerleading. Full Review

Kirk Honeycutt
October 6, 2003
Kirk Honeycutt, Hollywood Reporter

Shot on 100 locations in three countries and outfitted with impressive props, costumes, art direction and medieval streets, Luther makes up for what it lacks in vigorous storytelling with such product...

Scott Brown
October 2, 2003
Scott Brown, Entertainment Weekly

Heady theological badminton, as vigorously thoughtful as it is piously historical. Full Review

Richard Roeper
September 29, 2003
Richard Roeper, Ebert & Roeper

Luther is a film that you know will end with one of those codas telling us what a profound life he led. But the movie itself just doesn't leave that kind of footprint. Full Review

Jen Chaney
September 26, 2003
Jen Chaney, Washington Post

It's just unfortunate that a movie about such a daring man ultimately takes few risks.

Steven Winn
September 26, 2003
Steven Winn, San Francisco Chronicle

For all its scope and detail, Luther fails to convey the sense of history moved by a compelling individual. Full Review

September 26, 2003
Orlando Sentinel

More professional and competent than inspiring.

John Anderson
September 26, 2003
John Anderson, Newsday

An informative immersion in the history of both Catholic and Protestant churches, and a rather refreshing take on medieval morality. Full Review

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Cast

More Like This

Click a thumb to vote on that suggestion, or add your own suggestions.

  • Enemy at the Gates
    Enemy at the Gates (25%)
  • Man of Faith (The Calling)
    Man of Faith (The Calling) (100%)
  • The Great Raid
    The Great Raid (40%)
  • The Name of the Rose (Der Name der Rose)
    The Name of the Rose (Der Name der Rose) (71%)

More Movies like Luther

Facts

Submit a Fact | View All
    • Martin Luther: Your Imperial Majesty and Your Lordships demand a simple answer. Here it is, plain and unvarnished. Unless I am convicted [convinced] of error by the testimony of Scripture or (since I put no trust in the unsupported authority of Pope or councils, since it is plain that they have often erred and often contradicted themselves) by manifest reasoning, I stand convicted [convinced] by the Scriptures to which I have appealed, and my conscience is taken captive by God's word, I cannot and will not recant anything, for to act against our conscience is neither safe for us, nor open to us. On this I take my stand. I can do no other. God help me.
Submit a Fact | View All

Luther : Watch Free on TV

Luther Trivia

  • What tragedy delayed the Academy Awards ceremony in 1968 for two days?  Answer »
  • Who Plays "Luther" In Christmas With The Kranks?   Answer »
  • What movie had Luther (Tim Allen) obssesed to skip Christmas and take a cruise?  Answer »
  • In "The Ghost & Mr. Chicken," besides a flashlight, what other item did Luther take into the Simmons house?  Answer »
More Luther Trivia

Movie Quizzes

No quizzes for Luther. Want to create one?

Video Clips

No video clips yet. Want to upload one?

Meet Other Fans

Add Luther to favorites

Recent News

No recent headlines. Got one?

Recent Lists

Make a List |

View All Lists

Most Popular Skin

No skins yet. Interested in creating one?