A Man for All Seasons (Fred Zinnemann, 1966)

When we are about to watch a highly rated and multiply awarded movie, we can't escape all those high expectations and worries if we're going to be disappointed. The problem with this movie is that it has won 6 Oscars and almost 30 more awards! But the fear of failed expectations is problem only until you start to watch it, because this one really deserves and justifies them all.

The plot is placed in a very turbulent part of the English history and it's focused on the personality of famous Thomas More (Paul Scofield). However, it's not just a biography movie. It doesn't follow the whole More's life. We aren't introduced in his childhood or youth, but in the years when he was already a complete persona. More's biographical points are just used as coordinates for the critics of the 16th century society.

The story of  is closely related to religion and church. His firm beliefs are the cause of his disagreement with environment, with close friends and family and also with the king Henry VIII himself. Nevertheless, the movie doesn't request the viewer to be religious or a religion expert so he could understand the point. It is enough to replace the faith with any personal belief or idea. From that aspect, movie gives as an universal story about the power of human idea and man's strenght to remain consistent to his ideas, no matter what. More is a symbol of unfaltering man, that’s why he is A Man for All Seasons, a role model, a man for all times. Fred Zinnemann puts us in front of really touchy scenes, when Thomas has nothing else but his beliefs – the people on the street don't want to know him anymore, the boatmen don't want to transport him across the river and even family wants to make him violate his own ideals. Only thing he has left as defense of his ideals is his bare life.

Paul Scofield as Thomas More is a great choice. Most of the time he is calm and dignified, with high moral standards. There are also many moments when he suddenly breaks the silence, raising his voice and defending his thoughts with such a great passion. It makes his character even more interesting.

And there is so much space for searching the interesting things in this movie, since it is very well-detailed. The screenplay is amazingly precise. Combined with Zinnemann's deliberate directing, it gives us sofisticated and diverting movie speech.

The costumes are just beautiful and quite convincing, from the dress of a peasent girl to the royal robe. (Interesting, the robe that Orson Welles weared while acting the cardinal Wolsey, More's precursor, is the original Wolsey's robe!) Original music by Georges Delerue is quite appropriate and gives a great contribution to the complete atmosphere.

Though it is about long past times, the movie is ahead of its time with all its complexity and universality. It doesn't gives us the complete life of this memorable person, but, even better, it prods us to search more informations about him, to explore his life and his meaning for the history and, finally, to draw own conclusions.

Watching this(here or here) two hours of moving images are a great time investment.