A Man for All Seasons is an excellent costume drama set in the renaissance era. It concerns a man’s adherence to his principles despite adversity unto death.

Europe was emerging from the dark ages in which it had wallowed following the fall of the Roman Empire and the ascendancy of the Catholic Church. The Pope was supreme, having declared himself the Vicar of Christ on Earth; and the crowned heads of Europe believed it – that is until King Henry VIII of England (Robert Shaw) wanted a divorce from his barren wife, Catherine of Aragon.

Getting no satisfaction from the church, Henry simply had an act passed by Parliament and declared himself the head of the church, thereby delivering a well-earned snub to the Pope and providing for his divorce at the stroke of a pen. The King’s joy was complete… almost.

The Chancellor, Thomas More (Paul Scofield) failed to sign the Act of Succession, thereby casting all the men who had signed it into shadow. As you can imagine, this made him extremely unpopular with the sycophants at court and his enemies began to multiply.

However, as a result of the King’s displeasure, More falls from grace, is impoverished, imprisoned, and threatened with death if he will not recognize the King as the head of the church in England. Although his heavy hand is evident, the King is physically absent from these proceedings, content to operate through minions, including the despicable Thomas Cromwell (Leo McKern) and the more pleasant but weak willed Duke of Norfolk (Nigel Davenport).

Refusing to take an oath on legal grounds, More made no statement as to his objections, public or private. He believes the fact he has made no statement means no one can bring evidence against him and his silence must be construed as approval in accordance with common law. A lawyer, More takes refuge in his belief that he is protected by the famed English legal system (ha ha) and must be proven to have made disloyal remarks to be guilty of treason. Much is made of this view throughout the film. Alas, not all lawyers are so lofty minded as More and Cromwell finds a willing perjurer to supply evidence in return for favors at court.

In addition to a compelling storyline, the film has excellent dialog adapted from his stage play by famed screenwriter Robert Bolt (Lawrence of Arabia, The Lion in Winter). Although Man for All Seasons lacks action, it is very stimulating for the mind as the speeches and conversations reveal the inner workings of the various characters’ minds. Acting by Paul Scofield is nuanced and won a well-deserved Best Actor Oscar. Scofield also played the role on stage where he won a Tony Award. Robert Shaw played the king, and did a fine job with what was essentially a bit part. Wendy Hiller and Susannah York played More’s family while John Hurt and Leo McKern played courtiers bent on destroying More. Orson Welles played a small but wonderful part as Cardinal Wolsey. The rest of the cast were predominately British actors and did a fine job.

Director Fred Zinneman (High Noon, Day of the Jackal) did an excellent job of putting the story on celluloid. Color cinematography by Ted Moore puts us right in the era with the brown stone interiors and colorful costuming. Music by Georges Delerue is well suited to the visuals.

The Columbia DVD contains a 1.85:1 theatrical release version of A Man for All Seasons and no extras. For those who enjoy an engrossing tale of a man standing by his principles at all costs, wrongheaded as they may be, A Man for All Seasons will be just your cup of tea.

Other medieval dramas I enjoyed include:

Becket

The Lion in Winter




Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Better than Watching TV