You'll possibly be feeling a little fuzzy come Sunday morning, following a couple of days of naughtiness. But rise early on Sunday, drag the duvet to the sofa, make a pot of coffee and settle back with what @reel_reviewer is calling 'the thinking man's epic.'
Sun 27 Dec, BBC 2. 8:15am
Director: Fred Zinnemann.
Synopsis
During the reign of Henry VIII, the King (Robert Shaw) wishes to divorce his first wife, in order that he can remarry Anne Boleyn (Vanessa Redgrave) with the hope of siring a much desired son and heir to his throne. To do this, he breaks with the Roman Catholic Church and installs himself as supreme head of the new Church Of England.
Sir Thomas More (Paul Schofield) is one of his closest friends and trusted advisers. A staunch Catholic and supporter of the first Queen, he refuses to accept or refuse to sign the pledge of allegiance to the new state of affairs, remaining silent on the issue - thereby, not condemning himself to any fate.
A tale of legal, personal and moral convictions plays out as More is ruthlessly investigated for his recalcitrance.
The thinking man's epic par excellence in this velvet-smooth adaptation of the Robert Bolt play by Bolt himself, who chucked out the clunky stage device of having a narrator commenting on the action at hand, so confident is his screen adaptation at distilling the intricate political machinations and personal, moral convictions at play during the most famous of historical incidences.
You won't have to scratch your head to follow the events (if there is anyone around who isn't au fait with the story) as the dialogue beautifully and lucidly explains all - just listen and enjoy the words.
It's strong on performances, with Schofield easily scooping the Best Actor Oscar for his wise and witty, but stubborn and obstinate portrayal of Thomas More, closely matched by a stellar star cast, of which the better turns from Hiller and York as, respectively, his wife and daughter.
For full review: http://cinesocialuk.com/2015/12/17/a-man-for-all-seasons-1966/#more-6549
Cast & credits
Producer: Fred Zinnemann.
Writer: Robert Bolt.
Camera: Ted Moore.
Music: Georges Delerue.
Sets: John Box.
Paul Schofield, Wendy Hiller, Leo McKern, Robert Shaw, Orson Welles, Susannah York, Nigel Davenport, John Hurt, Corin Redgrave, Colin Blakely, Vanessa Redgrave.
