Robert Bolt's literate film adaptation of his own play portrays Thomas More as a man of principle, envied by his rivals such as Thomas Cromwell and loved by his family and the people.
King Henry VIII, who is athletically portrayed by Robert Shaw who wants More to grant a divorce because his wife cannot have children and considers breaking away from the Catholic church. If there is no heir then England will have civil war as rival Barons lay claim to the crown.
More is shown here as a man of conscience, torn between duty and obedience to his King and God. He remains true to himself and his beliefs despite external pressure or influence from people who constantly buckle themselves
Of course the More shown here might not be the historically accurate one. Bolt screenplay has an anti-authoritarian theme. People in positions of power such as the King, Cromwell, Wolsey, Norfolk; are depicted as being either corrupt, power hungry or expedient.
The acting by Paul Scofield is superb and restrained with effective cameos from Orson Welles and Robert Shaw who are more showy. The direction by Fred Zinnemann shows an England that is elegant rather than vulgar or hammy which other Tudor adaptations have a tendency to do. Its an acting masterclass from some of the finest actors in Britain of the last 60 years and sadly only a few of the cast now remain with us.
King Henry VIII, who is athletically portrayed by Robert Shaw who wants More to grant a divorce because his wife cannot have children and considers breaking away from the Catholic church. If there is no heir then England will have civil war as rival Barons lay claim to the crown.
More is shown here as a man of conscience, torn between duty and obedience to his King and God. He remains true to himself and his beliefs despite external pressure or influence from people who constantly buckle themselves
Of course the More shown here might not be the historically accurate one. Bolt screenplay has an anti-authoritarian theme. People in positions of power such as the King, Cromwell, Wolsey, Norfolk; are depicted as being either corrupt, power hungry or expedient.
The acting by Paul Scofield is superb and restrained with effective cameos from Orson Welles and Robert Shaw who are more showy. The direction by Fred Zinnemann shows an England that is elegant rather than vulgar or hammy which other Tudor adaptations have a tendency to do. Its an acting masterclass from some of the finest actors in Britain of the last 60 years and sadly only a few of the cast now remain with us.