Luther (2003)

User Rating:

6.9/10   

Director:

Eric Till

Writers (WGA):

Camille Thomasson (written by) and
Bart Gavigan (written by)

Release Date:

30 lokakuu 2003 (Germany)

Genre:

Biography | Drama | History

Tagline:

Rebel. Genius. Liberator.

Plot:

During the early 16th Century idealistic German monk Martin Luther, disgusted by the materialism in the church, begins the dialogue that will lead to the Protestant Reformation.

Plot Keywords:

Prince | Monk | Priest | Martin Luther | Cardinal

Awards:

4 wins & 1 nomination

Cast

Joseph Fiennes	...	Martin Luther
Alfred Molina	...	John Tetzel
Jonathan Firth	...	Girolamo Aleander
Claire Cox	...	Katharina von Bora
Peter Ustinov	...	Frederick the Wise (as Sir Peter Ustinov)
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

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for disturbing images of violence.

Runtime:

123 min

Country:

Germany

Language:

English | Latin

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Philippines:PG-13 | Sweden:11 | South Korea:12 | Argentina:13 | Australia:M | Brazil:14 | Finland:K-11 | Germany:12 | Netherlands:12 | Norway:11 | Singapore:PG | Switzerland:12 (canton of the Grisons) | UK:12A | USA:PG-13

Filming Locations:

Bavaria Studios, Munich, Bavaria, Germany

Company:

Eikon Film

Trivia:

There are many instances when actual quotes are used by the characters. This includes Friar Tetzel's "Coin in the coffer rings a soul from Purgatory springs" as well as Luther's "Here I Stand" speech.

Goofs:

Continuity: The film takes place over the course of three decades. However, none of the characters show any signs of aging, including Luther and the youthful German emperor.

Quotes:

Georg Spalatin: Do not bite the hand that feeds you, Martin. Our prince pays for your chair in this university. His relics pay for your chair.
Martin Luther: And he who pays the piper calls the tune.

Movie Connections:

Version of Martin Luther (1983/II) (TV)

Incredible experience

Possibly one of the most insightful, fascinating, and profound movies to come out in twenty years, "Luther" follows the turbulent struggle between the Catholic church and the country of Germany in the 1500's, revolving around the greatest religious liberator of the middle ages, Martin Luther. Both historically correct in many respects, as well as a fantastically well-written epic with an excessively well-rounded cast (all of which deserve Oscar nominations), the film has many insightful glimpses into one man's journey toward his greatest triumph... the translation of the scriptures into "common" German. If you have any opportunity to view this big-budget Independent film, take it.

From a purely historical standpoint, the film offers a shocking glimpse into power and politics, as Cardinals attempt to bend and wrestle princes and monarchs to their side. It's a shame, but this film will probably not be recognized at the Oscars due to its strong religious tone. Therefore allow it to be said that the center core of actors all deserve Oscars for their performances, particularly Fiennes, Firth, and Ustinov. It was a pleasure to see Fiennes conform to an astonishingly strong, charismatic man who is not faultless, but instead human. The costuming, visual effects, and writing are all fantastic. The dialogue is unusually rich, spattered with direct quotes from Luther's literary works.

The best thing about "Luther" is the quality of the filmmaking. A lot of money was poured into this production, leaving Christian films like Megiddo and Left Behind in the dust. Not only will this receive greater recognition as a "serious" movie, it will also attract larger audiences due to the quality, budget, massive locations, and cast list. Secular audiences will get an open story of salvation. Christian audiences will have the pleasure of finally having a hero to root for in the cinema, a man who stands up for his faith against all odds.