This magnificent picture concerns on Sir Thomas Moro'conflict with Henry VIII . Moro(Paul Scofield, in the title role) was Henry VIII's(Robert Shaw) most able chancellor, he was a man of the Renaissance, lawyer , philosopher, writer(His most famous work was Utopia),and statesman. He was also a devoted husband and father, and, above all, a pious Catholic. Henry was well aware of Moro's brilliance and the strength of his chancellor's religious faith. When Henry proclaimed himself Head of Church, it was inevitable that the two men would clash. The origin conflict takes place when Catherine of Aragon was married to Arthur,Henry VII's older brother, Arthur died six months later, and Henry VIII marries to Catherine.Cardinal Wolsey(Orson Welles) failed to obtain the Pope's permission for Henry's marriage to Anne Boleyn and his fall was swift, he was summoned before Henry and forced to surrender his seal of office. Then Henry breaks with Catholic Church and secretly married Anne Boleyn and after creates Anglican religion. Thomas is led to council formed by Duke of Norfolk(Nigel Davenport),Archbishop Cranmer, Cromwell(Leo McKern) and Richard Rich(John Hurt). Later Moro is judged by the court, those who stood in Henry's way, even those he claimed to love, invariably ended on the scaffold.

This splendid costumer-drama contains excellent performances by all star cast. Paul Scofield won deservedly Academy Award as upright chancellor with fateful destination but he was led from his cell in the Tower of London and beheaded. Outstanding Orson Welles at a brief appearance as Cardinal Wolsey and extraordinary plethora of secondaries as a young John Hurt, Wendy Hiller as his spouse Alice, Nigel Davenport as astute Duke of Norfolk, among others. And of course Robert Shaw as selfish King who discarded his first wife Catherine of Aragon and executed Anne Boleyn-Vanessa Redgrave in a very secondary role-. Colorful,luxurious scenarios by John Box with evocative cinematography by Ted Moore, also Oscar winner. The movie benefits from sensible and perceptible musical score by George Delerue.Brilliant direction by Fred Zinnemann who adapted perfectly Robert Bolt's screenplay.

The story is remade in 1988, an inferior TV version directed and produced by Charlton Heston with John Gielgud as Cardenal Wolsey, again Vanessa Redgrave and Heston as Thomas Moro.

Okay, here comes the history teacher in me,...the movie had a reasonably high number of historical inaccuracies. However, despite this, the spirit of the film is still true--but the details are often lacking. Instead of pointing out the many flaws, I'll just mention a few. Richard Rich in this film is the scheming bad guy. In real life, this probably wasn't the case. And, while in the film Thomas More retired to a quiet life and said nothing negative about his king, this wasn't exactly what More did.

However, these are just minor quibbles--the film itself is simply marvelous. Paul Scofield did a fantastic job as More and justifiably received the Oscar for this performance. The movie is very moving and interesting and gives a wonderful insight into the sort of slimy toad that Henry VIII really was. And, all this is done with great reverence to the costumes and manners of the period. A wonderful film with an uplifting message of decency and honor.

While they would have stood on opposite sides of the fence as far as religion goes, this movie would be a great double-feature with LUTHER--another great man who was resolute in his convictions during these same troubled times.

What can I say about A Man for All Seasons that hasn't been said already? Other than to say it is a wonderful film, with a brilliant cast? And that it is for me Fred Zinnerman's best film along with A Nun's Story? A Man For All Seasons is beautifully filmed, with lavish photography and costumes and a brilliant use of sets and locations. The story is never less than compelling, Fred Zinnerman's direction is impeccable and the dialogue is moving and intelligent.

And of course, how can I not write this review without mentioning the cast? Robert Shaw is a different Henry VIII, younger, thinner and is quite intelligent with a lot of political skill. Orson Welles is a fine Cardinal Wolsey and John Hurt in his first major role is suitably eloquent, while Leo McKern, Susannah York and Vanessa Redgrave play their roles with aplomb. Easily though, the best performance comes from Paul Scofield, who is simply brilliant as Sir Thomas Moore, with a balance of virtue and vanity.

All in all, a splendid film, elevated by Scofield and the rest of the cast. 10/10 Bethany Cox