A Man for All Seasons (1966)

very entertaining

This is a very well achieved movie that addresses the philosophical and politic conflict between the subsequent Anglican protestants and Catholics in Britain during the times of Henry VIII. A very entertaining lesson of history for those of us who were not very familiar with these events. By far, acting and characterization of Thomas More by Paul Scofield is just superb. While effort is put to portrait the character of Thomas Cromwell (played by Leo McKern), I missed some more on Cardenal Wolsey (played by Orson Welles). Also interesting to see John Hurt (Orwell 1984) in the role of Richard Rich. Technically, a perfect widescreen analog to digital DVD transfer. The only bad thing about this release is that no Spanish subtitles are provided. While English subtitles and the audio are very clear, the English spoken is old fashion and not always easy to figure out. All in all, highly recommended. January 2, 2009

A Man for all Seasons DVD

I always wanted to see this film. It is getting more difficult to rent older films, and the price is reason able on Amazon to buy. I am a very happy customer. Thank you Amazon for keeping things within reach. December 21, 2008

Sir Thomas for for Senate

"If a statesmen foresakes with private conscience for the sake of public office, he leads his county to a short route to chaos." Thomas More to Cardinal Wolsey regarding granting an unlaw divorce to King Henry VIII from his barren wife.

How great a country would America be if our Congress men and women had the courage of Thomas Moore.

Man for All Seasons is one of the greatest movies of all time. You will need a pen and paper nearby to write all the provoking line from Sir Thomas.

November 8, 2008

Good movie, bad history

The acting is supurb in this rendition of the story of Sir Thomas More. However the history is very skewed. More was vindictive and cruel. Moral values that mattered were only his own. The Library of Congress had a display about William Tyndale some years ago. The polemics between Tyndale and More and very telling and not to More's credit. He may be a saint to some, but I have no doubt where in the cosmos his soul resides now while those he tortured to death are in heaven. November 7, 2008

If you cut down law, do you think you could stand in the laws that blow then

Thomas Moore studied at Oxford

Moore worked in the law courts, his motto, "A fair judgment and quickly". Moore believed in rule of law. "If you cut down law, do you think you could stand in the laws that blow then." The rule of law was parmount. The courts were corrupt, Kings High Counsel administered the kings will, civil service flooded with cases of the poor, bribes as means of winning; Moore says to Master Rich, "a man shouldn't go where he can't be tempted"

Woosely names Moore Chancerlor.

Appoint one of two under sheriff of London, Moore is Knighted

Moore established free speech in parliment. Parliment had the legal right to declare the Queen.

Moore's children were Margaret (Mega), Elizabeth, Cicely, and John. Moore's wife is Alice, "a lion that I married."

Moore tells Will Roper, he is a Luthern and Heretic and hopefully he will get his head again.

Moore aided Cardinal Wolsey in preventing Luthern books from being imported into England

Will Roper, is Moores son in law, married too Meg . Moore educates his daughters. Moore thinks woman are intelligent, as a man, "A delicate and rare commodity."

Moore comes under the attention of King Henry VIII

Pronounced the marriage of King Henry VIII with Cathrine of Aragon invalid. Moore encourage Henry to put away Cathrine. King Henry thinks lowly of Woosely. Henry is incestous relationship with his brothers wife. King Henry does like the queen because she can not bear him a son. King Henry tells Moore, "he will have no opposition". Moore is a friend of Queen Catherine of Aragon. King Henry wants a divorce. Moore crossed the King.

Thomas Cromwell is the kings advisor. Cromwell wants to make King Henry's divorce convenient.

Moore refuses to attend the coronation of Anne Boleyn as the Queen of England.

Moore fails to sign the Act of Supremacy that declared Henry VIII Supreme Head of Church of England. "Is this wisdom to abandon your duty." The implication is to renounce Roman power. War against the Church because the Pope will not declare Cathrine is not his wife. What Moores aligence to the King? Moore resigns his Chancellor. "I will play with my grandchildren" "When they find me silent, they will want nothing more than to leave me silent". The King does not agree with Moores silence.

Moore is charged with accepting bribes. Moore is accused of conspiring with Elizabeth Barton, prophecying against the king. Moore tells Cromwell that he wrote to her, too mind her own business. An offense that could send a man to the Tower of London. The gift was a "silver Italian cup" which Moore gave away to master Rich. The King wants Thomas Cromwell to force Moore too attend the Wedding of Anne Boyle.

Moore campaigns against protestantism because he believes heresy is a disease, a threat to the church and society.

Moore assisted King Henry in writing the "Defence of the Seven Sacraments." King Henry rejected the claim that he had anything in writing the book.
Moore was charged to write counter arguments in response to Martin Luther's On the Babylonian Captivity of the Church. Luther replied with "Against Henry, King of English". Moore deepened his commitment ot the order and displine outline in Utopia. Utopia is equivalent to unitarian philosophy, the unitarian social experiment.

King Henry charges Moore with treason, a traitor. Cromwell says, "We must drive these subtle foxes from their covet."

The Act of Succession asserts Parliament authority to legislate in matters of relgion by denying the authority of the Pope. Moore refuses to swear to the Oath. The King counsel cross examines Moore and the group concludes his reasons must be treasonal. Moore says the claims must be factual; objections and swearing are not legal; admissions could lead to have his head cut off.

Moore's obedience is to divine law and heavenly obligations of heavan and not hell. Cromwell wants to torture Moore into conceding, the rack.

Imprisoned in the tower of London. Moore may not have books or see his family. Meg is under oath to pursade Moore to swear the oath. Moore believes an oath is between man and God. Meg tell Moore, "say the words and say other words in private." If we live in a state where virtue was profit. Perhaps, we must stand and be heroes." Meg says, "you have done everything that God can expect."

Moore tells his family there will be no trial because there is no case. Moore wants his family to leave the country.

Cromwell says "silence can speak". Moore says his silence is no evidence and he is innocent until proven guilt. Moore says, this court must construe according to the law. Moore says silence is not consent. Moore orthodox arguments were that Peter and the Magna Carter authorized Pope and the Church power on earth.

Moore was found guilty of treason and beheaded.

The movie will not disappoint you. October 31, 2008

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