Product ReviewsA Man for All Seasons (DVD, 1966)

A Man for all Seasons.

The story of Sir Thomas Moore ( Paul Schofield ) and his refusal to sign King Henry V111's (Robert Shaw ) edict to accept Anne Bolyn as Queen. Here we see the King as a younger man wanting a male heir and determind to cast of his first wife, the Spanish Queen Katherine. Despite over seventeen pregnancies only produced a girl Princess Mary, and woman were thought incapable of ruling. To Moores family he was stubborn and they saw only ruin ahead, the loss of their beautiful home in the country and the wealth which came with being Henry's friend and advisor. The story takes us to it's inevitable conclusion when a man defy's his King will, a magnificent film, superb acting by an all star cast. Note, Henry did have a son with Jane Seymour his third wife. But Edward did not reign long and died of syphilis inherited from his Father. Mary claimed the throne and was known as Bloody Mary as she tried to bring England back to the Catholic faith by burning protestants. Mary died within five years with stomach Cancer which she thought was a pregnancy, and finally Elizabeth the merely English Princess and daughter of Anne Bolyn became Queen Elizabeth 1st. The people rejoiced as Elizabeth brought years of peace and prosperity to England proving that indeed a woman can rule.Read full review...

A Man for all Seasons, not the Tudors

After having watched Showtime's original special The Tudors, I was sparked with the idea to know more about Thomas More, the faithful servant of King Henry VIII who was beheaded for the Roman Catholic faith. The Tudors dealt with King Henry's obsession with Ann Boleyn, but A Man for All Seasons attempted to tell the story from Thomas More’s side. AMFAS was an Academy Award winner in 1966, of course judging by the crap they give Oscars to now, you can see how the mighty have fallen in forty years; but I digress.

AMFAS is superbly acted by the great Paul Scofield as Thomas More England’s Roman Catholic Chancellor, Wendy Hiller as his wife, Lady Alice, Susannah York, a very sort after English actress of the time, as his daughter, and in an all too brief, but glittering portrayal of Cardinal Woolsey by the incomparable Orson Welles in what was probably his final role. Oh, yes, my friends, you will never see the like of actors like these any time soon.

The story attempts to stay true to historical facts, but I felt the so called bad guys were one dimensional, re: Oliver Cromwell and King Henry VIII, Leo McKern and Robert Shaw respectively . Here I will compare it the Showtime’s The Tudors and found the characters there more multifaceted, of course The Tudors were not confined to120 minutes as A Man for All Seasons was.

All in all, AMFAS won a total of 6 Academy Awards and deservedly so. It is a historical drama based on real people who learn in the end good will always triumph even if it’s centuries later.Read full review...

In Ignacia Princeps, mor est "The Anger of the PRINCE means DEATH"

An excellent character study in what is involved when someone with power demands you choose between his desires, and your principles. In this sad case, and in many in modern political circles, principles came with a high cost, one THIS particular man will willing to pay. Sadly most in government today are NOT willing to stand for their principles or they're for sale to the highest bidder. People who stand for nothing will fall for anything and they sycophants and toadies of the Tudor government as well as our OWN today, bear sad witness to that truth. Power CORRUPTS and ABSOLUTE power corrupts ABSOLUTELY. And one our OWN politicians and their ilk had better pay close attention to as well - TYRANTS have no FRIENDS.Read full review...

Regarding "Man for All Seasons"

A Great movie, and I Like History and am interested in the Tudor period.
I am replacing a lot of old VHS Tapes. I don't know why I have to explain more. I am also not used to reviewing every purchase I make at the store, especially when it requires PASSWORD! I do not Like doing Mail Order purchases for this very reason. It bad enough I have to wait for the shipment, But these days mail order is the only place I can find what I want. So please make it such a hassle as to expect a major review. The movie is about 40 years old for Pete's Sake. THE MOVIE IS GOOD AND PLAYED GREAT!Read full review...

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: gunviktoria1-5

very interesting!

This film filled in my questions about what was going on in England at that time. Great cast. Robert Shaw was perfect! Paul Scofield was heartbreaking honest and good. Funny and tragic. I even quoted Will Roper and Thomas More's discussion on Law in my Facebook page I was so moved. Great classic!Read full review...

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: jensmedia92

Glad to have it on DVD!

This special edition dvd of A Man For All Seasons is one of my favorite purchases this year! Now I can FINALLY have some subtitles to catch those lines I never quite heard/understood.

Because the movie is pretty old (although award winning and frigging awesome) there isn't much fun stuff like commentary or bloopers, but there's a well done mini-documentary about Saint Sir Thomas More that is very, very good, highlighting his life, death, and writings.

It's a beautiful film to behold, too, so it's nice to step up from VHS quality.Read full review...

Great movie. A classic!

Have seen this man y times. Wanted my own copy. Great addition to my library.

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: hoosierbookandm...

Inspiring Story, Excellent Acting

Excellent Film about a man who became a Saint of the Church for his stand against the heretical actions of his friend King Henry VIII.

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: new | Sold by: blowitoutahere

Cinema Greatness A True Masterpiece

Great story with great dialogue, and cinema at it best. Not for action junky.

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: decluttr_store

get it to live it to GET it!

great great great!!!!!!! one of the best ever made. do yourself a favor and get this! you will be truly enlightened, you made have to watch more than once because it is so good, your eyes and ears are mere infants and unable to digest all this story has to offer. religous liberty, defended to the meaning of standing up to bulling and intolerance!! get this and live it so others can get it too!!Read full review...