Luther (2003) - DaaVeeDee

Luther (2003) (Blu-Ray) (*)

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Screened, competed or awarded at:
Other Film Festival Awards

Language Selections:
English ( Dolby DTS-HD Master Audio )
German ( Dolby Digital 5.1 )
German ( Subtitles )

Product Origin/Format:
Germany ( Blu-Ray/Region A/B/C )

Running Time:
118 min

Aspect Ratio:
Widescreen (1.78:1)

Special Features:
Cast/Crew Interview(s)
Commentary
Interactive Menu
Making Of
Scene Access
Trailer(s)

Movie filmed in 2003 and produced in:
Germany ( Germany, Central Europe )

Directed By:
Eric Till

Written By:
Camille Thomasson
Bart Gavigan

Actors:
Joseph Fiennes ..... Martin Luther
Alfred Molina ..... John Tetzel
Jonathan Firth ..... Girolamo Aleander
Claire Cox ..... Katharina von Bora
Peter Ustinov ..... Frederick the Wise
Bruno Ganz ..... Johann von Staupitz
Uwe Ochsenknecht ..... Pope Leo X
Mathieu Carrière ..... Cardinal Cajetan
Benjamin Sadler ..... Spalatin
Jochen Horst ..... Professor Carlstadt
Torben Liebrecht ..... Charles V
Maria Simon ..... Hanna
Lars Rudolph ..... Melanchthon
Marco Hofschneider ..... Ulrick
Christopher Buchholz ..... von der Eck

Synopsis:

The life of one of the controversial figures in the history of modern religion is brought to the screen in this historical biography. Born in 1483, Martin Luther (Joseph Fiennes) was an intelligent and principled young man who was studying law in early 16th century Germany when a close brush with death led him to follow a spiritual path and join a Catholic monastery. Under the guidance of Johann von Staupitz (Bruno Ganz), Luther became a valued member of the monastery's hierarchy, and as a sign of his trust, von Staupitz asked Luther to join him for a voyage to Rome as part of church business. Luther was appalled by the corrupt practices of the leading church officials, in particular the sale of 'indulgences,' in which the wealthy could purchase forgiveness for a wide variety of sins. Luther left the monastery to study theology in Wittenberg; a keen student, he later became a professor and won the support of Frederick the Wise (Peter Ustinov), who also recognized the potential controversy of Luther's iron principles. When a new pope, Leo X, assumes the throne at the Vatican, he orders the construction of St. Peter's Basilica. To pay the costs, an ambitious monk, Johann Tetzel (Alfred Molina), was sent out to sell indulgences to both the wealthy and the poor, leaving his audiences with little doubt of the eternal consequences that awaited those who did not empty their purses. An infuriated Luther wrote an angry essay on the corruption of the church entitled '95 Theses,' and thanks to the recent invention of the printing press, Luther's words were soon circulated throughout Europe, leading to an angry conflict with Catholic officials which threatened to tear the church in two. Luther also features supporting performances from Claire Cox as Katharina von Bora and Jonathan Firth as Girolamo Aleandro.

This visually handsome, fact-filled biography of Martin Luther depicts the events that gave birth to Reformation as a life-and-death political struggle between a corrupt, repressive, intransigently conservative establishment (the Roman Catholic Church) and a liberal populist movement that spins out of control and wreaks havoc. As the film veers uncertainly between meticulous historical recapitulation and shameless hokiness, it brings in enough characters to populate a mini-series. When the historical detail becomes too confusing, the movie shamelessly overcompensates by wallowing in cheap sentimentality.

Biography of Martin Luther, the 16th-century priest who led the Christian Reformation and opened up new possibilities in exploration of faith. The film begins with his vow to become a monk, and continues through his struggles to reconcile his desire for sanctification with his increasing abhorrence of the corruption and hypocrisy pervading the Church's hierarchy. He is ultimately charged with heresy and must confront the ruling cardinals and princes, urging them to make the Scriptures available to the common believer and lead the Church toward faith through justice and righteousness.

This product was added to our catalog on Saturday 26 February, 2011.

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