You feel the rage, barely contained, which is released at this moment. The anger flows through him, but More keeps his wits about him and never descends into ranting. His vocal control and modulation are special, and this film/play is a gem from English culture. I watched this at school, and it held little significance as a teenager. As an adult, I truly appreciate the film.
@@threethrushes Totally agree.. It's a masterclass in acting by Paul Schofield..The way he projects his latent anger and frustration like a volcanic eruption is simply amazing..His delivery reaches a crescendo when he snaps at the court starting with "Nevertheless..."
@@threethrushes I often feel the same way , but one must never give up on that great virtue , Hope. It is a daily challenge. Through various saints, e.g., Padre Pio and Saint Faustina, we have learned that these are the end times. The scriptures tell us that this, too, our world , will pass away. I suspect He will come again when we humans will be able to blow each other up. How gorgeous is our planet , seen from outer space. We have enough for all, especially if children are born from solid families.
Cromwell being executed for treason a few years after More is poetic justice at it's finest. Especially considering that's what he was prosecuting More for. Great movie. R.I.P. Scofield, McKern and Hurt.
The balanced symmetry of the entire House rising and being seated as one, then Sir Thomas rising alone. Showing that he is the equal to their power, is extraordinarily beautiful.
Equal to their power? Their power resulted in his head chopped off, his power resulted in them listening to something that did not stop his head being chopped off.
When I saw this movie in 1967, I thought it the most brilliant movie I'd ever seen, the dialogue the most eloquent, the acting the most expressive, the portrayals the most passionate. Twenty years after my epiphany, I met a woman and we married. That woman's name was Nancy Zinneman, and the movie's Oscar winning director, Fred Zinnemann, was her uncle. Remarkable coincidence, indeed karmic.
True Christian integrity in an adverse situation. I saw this in Mrs. Peterson's English class at Manti (Utah) High School. I have admired Sir Thomas More since then.
My mom took me to see this film when I was just a child. I was obviously too young for it. I recall endless talking. His fate however stayed with me to this very day.
I think the dialogue itself was rather difficult to understand. Certainly for a young person not familiar with old English would understand what is going on.
The ending is outstanding, More to the executioner ‘Fear not your office you send me to God’ Archbishop Cranmer to More ‘You’re very sure of that Sir Thomas?’ then More to Cranmer ‘Quite sure, he will not refuse one who is so blithe to go to him’ (at that point I choke and well up).
Yesterday I watched this movie for the first time(christmas day 2023) and its one of the greatest things Ive ever seen. Such a deep and profound movie I havent seen and what makes me sad is that a film like this would never be allowed to be made today. It shows the courage of one man surrounded by legions of cowards. The recent pandemic and vaccine situation comes to mind
@@bobparr4723 Lions, more like dumbasses, I'm not taking the jab because I as a great scientific and medical expert decided not to, or was it perhaps because you got a hot tip from facebook or twitter or was it written on some public toilet wall, 'Lions' what a fecking joke
Maybe, but they cut away from his face right when he gets passionate. Before and after he was soft spoken. It's like it was somebody else who stood up and shouted. Bad editing on the film I think
@Dan Beechlol. Complete nonsense. The privy Council didn't commence until 1708. i think the prayer comment is a low blow. More doesn't need prayers now. I'm not too sure about you, however.
I took a snapshot this morning of a mural at Our Lady of Willesden Catholic Church. Our Lady of Willesden was a medieval English Catholic Pilgrimage site until it was abolished by Henry VIII in the mid 1500s (restored in 1931). One notable pilgrim to there was Sir Thomas More, the English saint and martyr who's story of stoic loyalty to the truth that is Catholic faith was depicted in this film.
This movie when viewed in the highest resolution possible and tweaked the image mode is truly the best piece of cinematography i've laid my eyes on it's like you could pause at ANY half a second and the frame looks like a still image with the best studied lighting every color and contrast of details makes it as if it was a painting ... 1966!
Director Zinneman took great care with every detail of this film. His lighting makes possible great depth of image. This does everything to cancel any staginess left from Mr. Bolt's stage play. It is beautiful--it looks fresh enough to have been released just yesterday.
Great credit must go to Fred Zinneman, the Film's esteemed director, for his brilliant transfer of the play to the screen, and for casting Paul Scofield in the role that he created on stage. There was essentially no doubt that he would win the Oscar for Best Actor.
The parallels include a hotheaded King named Henry and a martyred former friend named Thomas. Henry II to Henry VIII is six Henries, so the next Henry and Thomas story should involve Henry XIV.
@@jimslancio the difference being that at least Henry II had the humility and piety to recognise that he did commit a grave sin and atoned for the crime of Becket’s martyr. To add to the symmetry, Henry VIII had Becket’s bones smashed and declared him to be no saint.
@@williamwallace2278 Instead the king was. Infact, just for sake of his compassion, he condoned the preliminary tortures to More, but not to the bishop John Fisher, whose laments More heard from his room while waiting for his own execution.
I was moved and loved this movie as a young man and see now the ever diminishing values in human society that are being lost in most cultures and governments around the world especially America’s. Through the manipulation of the MSM that are corrupting and dumbing down the young souls around the world.
@Anton Babani No its well documented and More used all the tools of the trade at that time to extract confessions. I accept he was a man of his time but there was no doubt what he did. However a brilliant performance by Scofield.
Good words but not matched by his actions, particularly in regard to Richard III, whom he unjustly vilified to suit the Tudors view of history and how they acquired the throne.
@@mscott3918 Ahhhhhh, but a twist........I read a book some months ago that has pretty good evidence that the princes in the tower were rescued and spirited away to be brought up in secret in separate households, and More knew about it. There is a clue in the famous painting of Mores family by Holbein.....an extra character sneaked in wearing the symbolism of kingship....
@@stonewalljackson6456 He also railed against the heretics who just wanted to be able to read the bible. And by "railed against", I mean burned them alive. There are no heroes and villains in the story of the reformation, certainly not in this country.
As big a film buff as I was for many years, I had never heard of Paul Scofield until I saw this movie recently...and I'm shocked that I had never heard of him because I can think of no one who had a stronger screen presence.
Mel Gibson was in complete awe of him when Mr. Scofield played the ghost of his father in Hamlet. I didn't think I would care for that film but I loved it.
Scofield made a point of remaining a stage actor as much as possible. He made relatively few film appearances. When he DID appear in a film, it was a major event for people aware of his reputation. Besides feeling ambivalent about the stop-start nature of filmmaking, he was aware of how many brilliant stage actors had dulled their talents in order to become successful - or unsuccessful - movie stars. Best wishes from Vermont ❄️
Great scene from a great movie. I believe St. Thomas More was also quoted as he laid his head on the chopping block and moved his beard out of the way, saying that at least his beard didn't offend anyone. What a saint, to keep his sense of humor intact after all that!
@@takeoischi4156 And how many were there? and wasn't it the law of England that heretics be burned or executed in another way? Wasn't it a law of Parliament?
@@hilairebelloc3368 Which is a problem. Torturing people to death is purely villainous behavior. The faith is rooted in fiction, anyways. What points does he deserve for being loyal to something that is not real?
I consider Thomas More to be one of the "modern" martyrs. Unlike martyrs of the early church, who went with joy to the lions' den, More used his labyrinthine mind to avoid death. He knew every nuanced way. In the end, however, Henry prevailed. I have read that Henry VIII always felt sorry that he had executed a good friend and a good man.
Henry was a tyrant and a murderer. He went on to murder his 2nd wife and her brother with false charges. As for him having remorse for Sir Thomas! I don't believe it because his behaviour of state murder and reign of terror didn't change.
@@chrisperrins8082 Actually I've read that too about H8 being remorseful for killing his former friend. Thomas More always told him the truth unlike other so called 'friends'.
@@gemmag.2988 Indeed H8 was. But it seems H8's murderous tyranny grew with the executions of Anne Boleyn on false charges and Katherine Howard to name a few. He hasn't learnt to be a just man and King.
@@rickyj5547 No he did not. The English translations were not AUTHORIZED by the Catholic Church; they were protestant twists, with heretical footnotes.
@@thomashogan16 you yourself and the ao called Christian cult which called themselves Catholic which are heretic and blasphemy for praying to idols Humans and the dead.
My favourite film - it is a powerful enactment of the corruption of the corridors of power and all its vanities. The script writer Robert Bolt used the English language so majestically and was so moving and profound as played by Paul Schofield. Truly a powerful film of man's weaknesses and strengths.
They wanted to get rid of him because he embodied the very opposite of their immorality and indecency. He disturbed their adulterous plans. So inventing a church that would accept their "cheating club" became a matter of urgency.
I've probably watched a 1,000 movies. Seen as many of the great classics as anyone who isn't a paid film critic. This performance is one of the top ten Best Actor performances in the history of cinema. There cannot be 9 that exceed it.
michael sorensen The film is historically inaccurate he tortured and had people burned at the stake after having them racked ,they had to carry them to be burned in a basket because they couldn’t walk because he had their joints pulled apart,so before you start to praise this man get your history right.
@@rhiconic Perhaps you might like to try a little harder on the old history front? Thomas More was Lord Chancellor of England; this made him head of, and responsible for, justice in England on behalf of the King. Torture was perfectly legal, and common, and burning was the punishment for heresy. More was literally doing his job. Under what circumstances could he not punish a unrepentant heretic when every law and norm of the era required it?
Sam, so perhaps the truth is that Thomas More was... *a cop* , and the thesis that *all cops are bastards* has been scientifically replicable since the advent of the smartphone.
@@rhiconic Be careful what you read about Thomas Moore. There has been a sustained campaign especially in England to discredit him. Unfortunately the once great BBC has been in the vanguard to try and destroy Thomas Moore's reputation because the BBC has been taken over by religious phobes.
"one of my favorite saints." Only because you know little of the REAL man, clearly ! You must ALWAYS look _beyond_ the MYTH. For example, according to Jasper Ridley: ""Sir Thomas More, a brilliant lawyer, writer and intellectual who was a particularly nasty sadomasochistic pervert. He enjoyed being flogged by his favourite daughter as much as flogging heretics, beggars and lunatics in his garden. He humiliated his wife by pointing out to his guests, in her presence, how ugly she was in order to show that he had not married her because he was lusting for a beautiful woman." Woud YOU have wanted such a man as your next-door neighbour ? He doesn't sound very 'saintly' to me, at any rate..................................does he to you ? The point is that a man may be both courageous AND vicious at the same time - but he should not be canonised for it, surely ? Otherwise, we might as well make (eg) Richard III a saint !
@wolemai You need to read up on your history. Catherine of Aragon died 11 years before Henry did, before Henry married his third wife, Jane Seymour. Also, the convents and monasteries had long outlived their usefulness needed to go. They far too much land, land that was beyond the king's power to tax, permanently off the market, and in many cases under- or un-utilized for productive agriculture. They were no longer functioning as important centers of learning and culture. It is a shame that he did nothing to make up for the loss of charitable institutions.
My favourite film of all time. The screenplay, the direction, the subject matter, the photography and the acting. Most of all, the masterclass performance of Paul Schofield
@@johncarruthers5552 You know damn well that Pell was innocent. It was obvious to anyone with basic critical thinking skills. He was lucky enough to be vindicated in this life; not so for Thomas More, or Christ - but there's good company among those falsely accused by corrupt establishments.
@@lloydsspace What I do know is that Pell is as guilty as sin of all he was charged with and more besides . Don't presume to tell me what I know about this sadistic, cowardly predator , this wanton destroyer of young lives . Shame on you . And spare me the blather about the lying Thomas Moore . His clumsy lies about Richard the Third show him to be a grovelling partisan hack .
This scene is less a contrast of the Medieval mindset and the modern one, but of objective morality trumping ethical relativism. More was arguing that there exists a fundamental source of determining rightness and wrongness, and people saying an act is wrong does not make it so. He makes much sense.
It's actually a no-brainer. Anything that is self-defeating is folly. Anyone who would perish if treated by their own rules deserves to perish. I keep remembering a moment from the movie K-Pax, the question about how people on K-Pax live in peace if there are no laws and no law enforcement; How do they determine what is right and what is wrong? - And the response was that every living being in the universe knows that very well. And that is so true. People know they are doing bad things; That is why they have to justify them. (You don't justify your decision to run a homeless shelter. Because everybody knows it is good.)
Yes, we do not have steady rudders nowadays and the civility and rationality that a functioning society needs. We must always seek to reach a higher plane. That reminds me of the magnificent words in the courtroom by the brother of the man who was shot and killed in his own apartment. The female police officer maintained that she thought he was intruder in her apartment.He forgave her and held her in his arms as she wept. There are not a few Muslims who have become Christians because the essence of Christianity is forgiveness. That is almost absent in Islam. Yes, and we who follow Christ must never forget to forgive, hard as it may be.
@@ulyssgrant3178 He did not have the right to forgive her..for if i was killed illegally It would be up to me to forgive them..do you see my point? However, we all need to move to that higher plane( as you call it) for humanity will not survive if it does not do so. You are a good man Ulyss Grant.
I'm sorry but Catholic saints tend to be heretics when actually concerning the teachings of Christ. Hell, if it wasn't for the damned war the Church got itself into with itself the Templars would still be around instead of having been declared heretics for the help of the King of France who owed thousands in gold
@@DazedSpy2 Well said. Saints do not torture, nor do they burn people; nor do they withhold the word of God from the common people. Unbelievably, the Anglican communion decided to venerate More in 1979 - the man who burned protestants, persecuted Tyndale and attempted to suppress the translation of the Bible into English.
@@markchambers3833 ¡Qué tristeza! ¡A 400 años de la decapitación de More por real designio de Octavo el disoluto se le encasquetan supuestos delitos a un hombre que se dejó matar por no traicionar su fe en la iglesia por encima de la monarquía!
When Pope Benedict XVI , who is very knowledgeable about the life Thomas More visited London several years ago, he actually spoke in the hall where this trial took place. When he was leaving, the Pope was shown the plaque on the floor designating the place where Thomas More made his defense, and was condemned to death ! Very cool indeed!
Jesus' death is the obly "cool". For the rest of us, we are simpke mortals. This men only fought for the power and siding with their favorite, that's nothing to be proud of.
@@giovanniserafino1731 I'm not going to teach you nothing about Jesus, because i see you're more delighted about the "Roman Church" and its propaganda. I'll pray to Jesus (not to dead "saints" because talking to the death is a sin) for the salvation of your manipulated soul. Go pray to your saints and corrupt popes, and pedophiles, but don't worry, my brother, for i'll be praying for you.
@@jesusofnazareth6254 silly brainwashed little low church prot, go do some actual historical and theological research then you can lecture people on true religion. How dare you use the Lord’s name too, a great sacrilege.
This is my favorite film. It is all the more so brilliant because much of it contains the words of St. Thomas More himself. He believed in all that he said. He was devoted to the poor. He believed in the higher education of women, teaching his daughters Latin, Greek, astronomy., etc. Towards the end of the film in which his wife, his second wife, Alice, begs him to just take the oath and be done with it. He had been a widower, and then married Alice, wanting to have a mother for his children. In his cell, she begs him to just take the oath, and come home again once more. He embraced her and called her a "lioness of a woman." She was, of course, a pragmatist. And who can really blame her at the time ?.We know so much about him because of Thomas Roper, his son-in-law, who removed his head from a pike on the London Bridge, and went on to write More's biography. More's word was his bond, a vital precept which our father quoted rather frequently to us. The riverman who transported him between his home and Hampton Court Palace, which belonged to King Henry the VIII. The boatman was the person who goes with the flow, keeping his head down, willing to go along with the present mores of the culture and the time. He is the epitome of the "common man," who lets himself be overcome by the common mores of society.We are in dire need today in the US of such people. This "culture" of ours is in a death spiral. This beloved country of ours will only be vanquished from within. There is another man you should know about. He was a German who came of age around the time of Hitler's rise. Franz was but a regular person. He ended up being a prophet, and one such is often rejected by the rest of us.Franz Jaegerstatter (sp.). He lived in a small town in Germany and was known as a teenager to ride a motorcycle, fast. His lifestyle for years made the people of that time not really approve his behaviors. He was living a totally norman life, the same as most of us. He was drafted by the Nazis. He had long conversations with his wife regarding his intense disapproval of Hitler's tenets.They both knew well of the consequences, but she gave him her permission. He was taken prisoner, and I believe that he was beheaded for treason. Believe in the good. Some may pay a hard price for it.
Helmuth Huebner was another such German patriot, the youngest person to be sentenced to death by a star chamber. He posted documentation of inaccuracies in official news reports, as well as BBC summaries of events to provide a comparison. He was no saboteur or guerilla, just a teenager with a radio and typewriter. Like More, he felt constrained to tell the truth. And after refusing to recant, he was executed.
@@TheFranchiseCA Most Catholic saints are unknown and uncanonized. The average person can reach the highest level and heroism by zealous search for the Truth of Christ. I don't know if this great young man has been put forward for an examination of his validity. I detest the current trend to canonized all recent popes. It is totally absurd and reminds me of volatile Vatican careerism, even after death. Paul VI did nothing to stop the gush of those pushing religious orders over a cliff. It is a tragedy in Church history. It was the major superiors who were responsible. 98 % of the junior professed left, often because they realized the mission of their order was blocked. They were being brainwashed that the only way to serve Christ is with the poor. The Jesuit DeGiacomo brothers at Fordham were responsible for much of this thinking. You can serve Christ in all settings.
Oh God what quality this film has , production, cinematography, acting and actors , sadly nothing remotely like it today , cinema today has nothing on it compared to this golden era of film
I remember seeing this in my 30s on cable. I recently searched for it on several different apps, and the internet. Could not find it for the life of me. Now over ten years later I watched this clip and it's just as good, if not better than I remember it. The combination of law and morals I do attest by and that's what piqued my interest originally. I think the way he is depicted says much about personal integrity and principles, the stuff we were made of when we were young and idealistic but maybe somehow forgot along the way.
H8, Shaw gave a true portrayal of the most vain pompous, arrogant adulterer in history. England has been Catholic for longer than its decline to Church of England And where and WHY do we have a Cof E today. What is the point of this vile heresy ? The pews are groaning with woodworm not with use.
Not only is Paul Scofield one of only 24 people to win the Triple Crown of Acting (Oscar, Emmy, and Tony), he still holds the record doing so in the shortest length of time. He only needed seven years to complete the milestone.
Quite simply an acting 'tour de force' by Paul Schofield certainly one of the finest pieces of movie acting ever and when asked what he did when he was awarded the Oscar he simply said I opened a bottle of wine for myself and my wife the next day. The oscar was posted to him and it arrived in pieces and he asked his gardener to fix it
@Dan Beech Correct, and they were Catholic/Orthodox. Are the words of the Catholic Mass scrawled on the walls of caves in Turkey dating to before Constantine, or is it Baptist altar calls and narcissistic "hymns" about me me me?
@@danbeech4241 only Catholics and Orthodox are real Christians, your faith was made by men in the 16th Century, ours was given to us by Christ Himself when he ordained St. Peter and gave him the keys to Heaven
@@glen7318 I think he said that of everyone above his power or rank. But he also says "dear old Longfellow" or "dear old Wordsworth", so I think he is decided to have fun when and where he can, as he is aging, and does not have many prospects. Same old, same old, a bottle of Pommeroy's plonk, or perhaps some Cheateau de Thames Embankment, then off to home and She Who Must Be Obeyed.
I understood that moment to mean the jurors were being intimidated into rendering the verdict Cromwell demanded and everyone knew the King wanted. Retiring to deliberate in private might have let the jurors work up the courage to acquit More.
A good and brave man in his time. Sir Thomas More was correct, and don't you find it strange that everyone who accused him of this crime ended up being punished with death by King Henry VIII years later. Some of them 'passed quietly in their sleep', or put another way death by Royal consent. Brilliant movie and timeless.
Actually, I think you're the idiot and are completely ignorant of history of the period. I am a PhD in history and studied extensively the so called English Reformation. The only other conclusion is you are an anti-Catholic bigot or you're off your meds!
@@giovanniserafino1731 Something tells me that PhD. is in your mind only. There can be no other explanation for your responding so ignorantly to the well known history of More as a burner of "heretics" who believed differently to what he believed.
After watching the Queen's Funeral , anyone can see the proof of the abomination of the Anglican Church . My stomach turned when they placed the regalia on top of a Church's High Altar - almost equating a sovereign to God . My mind came back to this scene when Thomas More reminded us all that no sovereign can claim divinity . To do so , is an abomination . Christ is king -not man!
St John Fisher is one of my distant forebears, though, as a Catholic saint, he has been largely and deliberately forgotten or sidelined by his Protestant descendants. May God forgive him his sins and grant him eternal rest!
Man, the One and only true Church sure been doing a lot of work recently covering the asses of its pedo priests and doing money laundering for NATO, though? Are you sure that the One and only true Church, which once fielded armies of mercenaries to fight brutal land grab wars with local Italian princes at about the same time the pope was having incest orgies, is a good fit for anybody who isn't a martyrdom obsessed self-hating loon?
@@SMFCNA most of stuff you say you actually know shit about and you font understand, doesnt matter, its a 2000 years old institution, ofcourse there is a lot of bad stuff happened, its a fuckin long time. Nobodys perfect, tell me one institution that is not corrupt? Church is established by Jesus, thats why it is the One and True, with all its flaws and virtues. If it wasnt, it would have vanished looong time ago. Althought you are full of hate towards Church, she still loves you and wants to embrace you.. Keep educate yourself, seek and you shall find, despite wrong deeds of individuals throughout 2000 years, there is nothing better on this planet than Catholic Church
@@SMFCNA Perhaps, before launching into a one-sided diatribe against the Catholic Church, you should Google the name of ANY religion on the earth, and then type in "sex crimes" or the like. Jews, Mormons, JWs, Episcopalians, Baptists, et alia will give you MONTHS of reading material. And then ask yourself why you hate the Catholic Church so much. Who really is a "self-hating loon?"
@Novak Ingood so 2000 years people are fools but you are not? After 2000 years of "fools" brilliant intellectuals, scientist, philosophers, warriors you are the smart one? Haha i dont think so
Earlier in this scene, More corrects Cromwell's sloppy application of the law by pointing out "silence gives consent" in Latin, so that More's silence as to the marriage must legally be construed as consent rather than as denial. I seem to recall Jimmy McGill, Esq., recently quoting that same Latin maxim "qui tacet consentiere" in an episode of Better Call Saul.
There are film biographies have such a powerful actor as the lead character that after viewing the film, one almost feels one has met the historical person. Surely this performance is one of those times.
Interesting clip. I was sent here by my professor. I will try and watch this movie when I get a chance. I also like to hear when someone says I will not bend to the knee to any king or president.
Too many twists and turns in this life, especially when the path is a political one. For love of God, More chose to walk the straight and narrow and he paid the ultimate price. But at least he got to meet God at last and find his peace.
As much as I love Wolf Hall as a piece of television the shear brilliance of acting and history in A Man for All Seasons blows it out of the water for quality and accuracy.
I will now discharge my mind and the kings title. The indictment in grounded in an act of parliament which is directly repugnant, to the law of God and Holy church, the supreme government of which no temporal person may by any law may presume to take upon it. It is therefore, insufficient in law to charge any Christian to obey it. And more than this, the immunity of the church is guarded in the manga carter and the kings own coronation oath. - Sir Thomas More
I never noticed this before and am going to watch this again with my dvd... but did anyone else see that in the shot looking forward to the judges (the back of Thomas Moore) the foreground crowed looked digitally inserted? They did not even stand or sit as the judges did, and the guy in the cream colored cap had a very “non-human“ movement about him.
Never thought I’d see this movie again I’m 80 now and must make an effort to see it again Who out there remembers “They Shoot Horses Don’t They” Another favorite from the 60’
“I die the Kings good servant, but Gods first.”
*God's
@@alexfilma16 yes
Didnt thomas moore burn many a "heretic" ? and thus, karma came 4 him
I didn’t know that sir Thomas More was prosecuted by Rumpole!!😂😂😂😂
His wife is She who must be obeyed.
"NEVERTHELESS!" The way he goes from quiet and subdued to bringing that freaking intensity in his delivery is absolutely stunning.
You feel the rage, barely contained, which is released at this moment.
The anger flows through him, but More keeps his wits about him and never descends into ranting.
His vocal control and modulation are special, and this film/play is a gem from English culture.
I watched this at school, and it held little significance as a teenager. As an adult, I truly appreciate the film.
@@threethrushes Totally agree.. It's a masterclass in acting by Paul Schofield..The way he projects his latent anger and frustration like a volcanic eruption is simply amazing..His delivery reaches a crescendo when he snaps at the court starting with "Nevertheless..."
@@gregorypalamas4998 I need to watch it again, lest I lose faith in humanity completely.
@@threethrushes I often feel the same way , but one must never give up on that great virtue , Hope.
It is a daily challenge. Through various saints, e.g., Padre Pio and Saint Faustina, we have learned that these are the end times. The scriptures tell us that this, too, our world , will pass away. I suspect He will come again when we humans will be able to blow each other up. How gorgeous is our planet , seen from outer space. We have enough for all, especially if children are born from solid families.
Yes, stunning and magnificent. Scofield at his best . . . What a performance!👏👏👏🇧🇸
Cromwell being executed for treason a few years after More is poetic justice at it's finest. Especially considering that's what he was prosecuting More for. Great movie. R.I.P. Scofield, McKern and Hurt.
Cromwell? Was he related to Oliver Cromwell?
@@josephkerrigan733Puritan leader Oliver Cromwell was the great-grandson of Sir Richard Cromwell, Thomas Cromwell's nephew.
@@josephkerrigan733 the same.
@@RobertStephens-do4lmthey lived about a hundred years apart
.
The balanced symmetry of the entire House rising and being seated as one, then Sir Thomas rising alone.
Showing that he is the equal to their power, is extraordinarily beautiful.
He is above them.
@The Stock Trader I love this! Thank you!
@The Stock Trader Agreed. And you are most welcome!
Thank you for this brilliant comment
Equal to their power? Their power resulted in his head chopped off, his power resulted in them listening to something that did not stop his head being chopped off.
I can watch this beautiful film over and over again.
When I saw this movie in 1967, I thought it the most brilliant movie I'd ever seen, the dialogue the most eloquent, the acting the most expressive, the portrayals the most passionate. Twenty years after my epiphany, I met a woman and we married. That woman's name was Nancy Zinneman, and the movie's Oscar winning director, Fred Zinnemann, was her uncle. Remarkable coincidence, indeed karmic.
Did Zinneman also do "The Nun's Story ?"
Karmic. A word that Hollywood creates. Like filmic, comedic, societal, historicity.....
You bent to the marriage then?
@@snipper1ie hahahah
@@ulyssgrant3178 yes. Also 'From here to Eternity' and 'High Noon'.
A great filmmaker
This indelible scene, acted with such passion, is the highlight of the film. Paul Scofield was never better.
Amen
He's pretty damn impressive on the battlements of Elsinore. ; )
Yes it is, and yes he was never better! An incredible performance, one for the ages.
Scofield had a range of ability and voice that he could play to suit almost any role.
"but for Wales"
Brilliant film and brilliant actor
Brilliant writing
True Christian integrity in an adverse situation. I saw this in Mrs. Peterson's English class at Manti (Utah) High School. I have admired Sir Thomas More since then.
My mom took me to see this film when I was just a child. I was obviously too young for it. I recall endless talking. His fate however stayed with me to this very day.
I think the dialogue itself was rather difficult to understand. Certainly for a young person not familiar with old English would understand what is going on.
The ending is outstanding, More to the executioner ‘Fear not your office you send me to God’ Archbishop Cranmer to More ‘You’re very sure of that Sir Thomas?’ then More to Cranmer ‘Quite sure, he will not refuse one who is so blithe to go to him’ (at that point I choke and well up).
Yesterday I watched this movie for the first time(christmas day 2023) and its one of the greatest things Ive ever seen. Such a deep and profound movie I havent seen and what makes me sad is that a film like this would never be allowed to be made today. It shows the courage of one man surrounded by legions of cowards. The recent pandemic and vaccine situation comes to mind
also it is about a man being unfairly judged by weaponized judicial system (sound familiar?)
If It was made today More would be black and transgender
Spot on. Some of us were lions during the " plandemic" , but alas most were sheep as they were in that court room!!
@@bobparr4723 Lions, more like dumbasses, I'm not taking the jab because I as a great scientific and medical expert decided not to, or was it perhaps because you got a hot tip from facebook or twitter or was it written on some public toilet wall, 'Lions' what a fecking joke
😂😂😂
A speech delivered with such passion, by the only actor who could do it.
Richard Burton could have.
Maybe, but they cut away from his face right when he gets passionate. Before and after he was soft spoken. It's like it was somebody else who stood up and shouted. Bad editing on the film I think
The finest example of integrity and courage ever captured on film. I saw this many years ago, and it has as much meaning today.
Yeah Henry the 8th was an absolute tyrant.
@Dan Beech We are talking about the portrayal of More in the film. Not in real life.
@Dan Beech where can that info be found...given that more didn't make the laws of England?
@Dan Beechlol. Complete nonsense.
The privy Council didn't commence until 1708.
i think the prayer comment is a low blow.
More doesn't need prayers now.
I'm not too sure about you, however.
@Dan Beech Your learning from tracts left on bus bench are TOTALLY shit. That NEVER happened.
Paul Scofield at his best! "My Lords! When I was practicing law the manner was to ask the prisoner if he has anything to say."
Do you have anything to say?
Superb writing. Magnificent acting. One of the truly great performances and dramas of modern cinema.
Robert Bolt wrote the screenplay. He died too soon.
Truth!
The actor's speech was taken almost word for word from St. Thomas More's speech in his trial's last moments
I adore Paul Scofield. The greatest actor in my opinion, and I had the great pleasure of seeing him on stage many times. That voice. Oh my...
I took a snapshot this morning of a mural at Our Lady of Willesden Catholic Church.
Our Lady of Willesden was a medieval English Catholic Pilgrimage site until it was abolished by Henry VIII in the mid 1500s (restored in 1931).
One notable pilgrim to there was Sir Thomas More, the English saint and martyr who's story of stoic loyalty to the truth that is Catholic faith was depicted in this film.
This movie when viewed in the highest resolution possible and tweaked the image mode is truly the best piece of cinematography i've laid my eyes on it's like you could pause at ANY half a second and the frame looks like a still image with the best studied lighting every color and contrast of details makes it as if it was a painting ... 1966!
Master film making of the highest degree, pure brilliance
If matte paintings count as cinematography in your eyes, watch Black Narcissus, it'll blow your socks off.
Director Zinneman took great care with every detail of this film. His lighting makes possible great depth of image. This does everything to cancel any staginess left from Mr. Bolt's stage play. It is beautiful--it looks fresh enough to have been released just yesterday.
Great credit must go to Fred Zinneman, the Film's esteemed director, for his brilliant transfer of the play to the screen, and for casting Paul Scofield in the role that he created on stage. There was essentially no doubt that he would win the Oscar for Best Actor.
3:11 "NEVERTHELESS...!!!!!"
Just that one word for me showed to me how great an actor he was.
Maybe he was farting hard simultaneously.
*AZONBAN*
One of the great British films. A great script, great performances by great actors. Flawless.
With a happy ending, to boot.
Possibly the greatest acted scene in history. Brilliant.
This picture reminds me of Becket, with Richard Burton and O'toole. Same sort of conflict. Parallel lives.
Agree
The parallels include a hotheaded King named Henry and a martyred former friend named Thomas. Henry II to Henry VIII is six Henries, so the next Henry and Thomas story should involve Henry XIV.
@@jimslancio the difference being that at least Henry II had the humility and piety to recognise that he did commit a grave sin and atoned for the crime of Becket’s martyr. To add to the symmetry, Henry VIII had Becket’s bones smashed and declared him to be no saint.
@@wessexfox5197 great reply 🙏
Paul Scofield's viscerating performance is nothing short of brilliant. He deserved the Oscar® for his performance in this film.
Kinopanorama Widescreen Preservation Association Incorporated a incredible shout of "NEVERTHELESS"...!
@jim shoe No he wasn't. He tortured people and burnt them. Not exactly filled with Christian love and forgiveness
@@williamwallace2278 Instead the king was. Infact, just for sake of his compassion, he condoned the preliminary tortures to More, but not to the bishop John Fisher, whose laments More heard from his room while waiting for his own execution.
@@williamwallace2278
1. Source?
2. (assuming this is true...and it may very well be) I accuse you of the crime of Presentism.
and for THE TRAIN
I was moved and loved this movie as a young man and see now the ever diminishing values in human society that are being lost in most cultures and governments around the world especially America’s. Through the manipulation of the MSM that are corrupting and dumbing down the young souls around the world.
"I do none harm. I say none harm. I think none harm."
Words to live by from this exemplary human.
except the people I ordered to be executed for having Bible in their own language
@Anton Babani No its well documented and More used all the tools of the trade at that time to extract confessions. I accept he was a man of his time but there was no doubt what he did. However a brilliant performance by Scofield.
Good words but not matched by his actions, particularly in regard to Richard III, whom he unjustly vilified to suit the Tudors view of history and how they acquired the throne.
That wasn't strictly true, that he did none harm,
@@mscott3918 Ahhhhhh, but a twist........I read a book some months ago that has pretty good evidence that the princes in the tower were rescued and spirited away to be brought up in secret in separate households, and More knew about it. There is a clue in the famous painting of Mores family by Holbein.....an extra character sneaked in wearing the symbolism of kingship....
Thomas More went from a corruptible world to an incorruptible one.
Check out the facts. He was a bad man.
Dont let these false consolation fool you. Follow your principle knowing in end there wont be any reward. Follow it for its own sake.
@@mickb4255 shame on you, a truly great English man Thomas Moore. He railed against the heretic henry the 8th
Religionist drivel. Grow up.
@@stonewalljackson6456 He also railed against the heretics who just wanted to be able to read the bible. And by "railed against", I mean burned them alive.
There are no heroes and villains in the story of the reformation, certainly not in this country.
Paul Schofield as Thomas More was superb in this. He conveyed so much feeling in his interpretation of More. A master class in acting.
As big a film buff as I was for many years, I had never heard of Paul Scofield until I saw this movie recently...and I'm shocked that I had never heard of him because I can think of no one who had a stronger screen presence.
Mel Gibson was in complete awe of him when Mr. Scofield played the ghost of his father in Hamlet. I didn't think I would care for that film but I loved it.
Scofield made a point of remaining a stage actor as much as possible. He made relatively few film appearances. When he DID appear in a film, it was a major event for people aware of his reputation.
Besides feeling ambivalent about the stop-start nature of filmmaking, he was aware of how many brilliant stage actors had dulled their talents in order to become successful - or unsuccessful - movie stars.
Best wishes from Vermont ❄️
Great scene from a great movie. I believe St. Thomas More was also quoted as he laid his head on the chopping block and moved his beard out of the way, saying that at least his beard didn't offend anyone. What a saint, to keep his sense of humor intact after all that!
Shame about all the people he burnt to death though
@@takeoischi4156 That does not impair his being a saint.
@@takeoischi4156 And how many were there? and wasn't it the law of England that heretics be burned or executed in another way? Wasn't it a law of Parliament?
@@takeoischi4156 i agree strongly alot of people seem to happily overlook this fact
@@hilairebelloc3368 Which is a problem. Torturing people to death is purely villainous behavior. The faith is rooted in fiction, anyways. What points does he deserve for being loyal to something that is not real?
I consider Thomas More to be one of the "modern" martyrs. Unlike martyrs of the early church, who went with joy to the lions' den, More used his labyrinthine mind to avoid death. He knew every nuanced way. In the end, however, Henry prevailed. I have read that Henry VIII
always felt sorry that he had executed a good friend and a good man.
Henry was a tyrant and a murderer. He went on to murder his 2nd wife and her brother with false charges.
As for him having remorse for Sir Thomas! I don't believe it because his behaviour of state murder and reign of terror didn't change.
@@chrisperrins8082 Actually I've read that too about H8 being remorseful for killing his former friend. Thomas More always told him the truth unlike other so called 'friends'.
@@gemmag.2988 Indeed H8 was. But it seems H8's murderous tyranny grew with the executions of Anne Boleyn on false charges and Katherine Howard to name a few. He hasn't learnt to be a just man and King.
Henry felt the same about Thomas Cromwell, who is unfairly maligned in this movie and the play it's based on.
Don't be a competent servant named Thomas in Tudor England:
Thomas Wolsey died in obscurity.
Thomas More beheaded.
Thomas Cromwell beheaded.
St Thomas pray for us and that we have courage to do what is right!
Amen 🙏
@Truth Protector no
In real life he killed people for reading the bible in English language
@@rickyj5547 No he did not. The English translations were not AUTHORIZED by the Catholic Church; they were protestant twists, with heretical footnotes.
@@thomashogan16 you yourself and the ao called Christian cult which called themselves Catholic which are heretic and blasphemy for praying to idols Humans and the dead.
And... we've learned...NOTHING.
Nothing?! Then you does not admire this brilliant man.
It seems human progress is measured as 2 steps forward, and 1 step back.
In the 21st century, it seems to be 2 steps back so far 🤨
My favourite film - it is a powerful enactment of the corruption of the corridors of power and all its vanities. The script writer Robert Bolt used the English language so majestically and was so moving and profound as played by Paul Schofield. Truly a powerful film of man's weaknesses and strengths.
The weakness of the divine right of Kings.
If you ever get the chance, see it performed in theatre...... It will give you a different perspective
I have seen this movie several times just for the dialogue
They wanted to get rid of him because he embodied the very opposite of their immorality and indecency. He disturbed their adulterous plans. So inventing a church that would accept their "cheating club" became a matter of urgency.
One of the most profound scenes in all cinema. My soul soars. Thanks to you my holy patron.
Such a brilliant film, one which stands the test of time. Deserved all of the awards bestowed on it.
I've probably watched a 1,000 movies. Seen as many of the great classics as anyone who isn't a paid film critic. This performance is one of the top ten Best Actor performances in the history of cinema. There cannot be 9 that exceed it.
Love this film. Our world desperately needs a man of Thomas More`s integrity, honesty and intelligence
michael sorensen The film is historically inaccurate he tortured and had people burned at the stake after having them racked ,they had to carry them to be burned in a basket because they couldn’t walk because he had their joints pulled apart,so before you start to praise this man get your history right.
@@rhiconic Perhaps you might like to try a little harder on the old history front? Thomas More was Lord Chancellor of England; this made him head of, and responsible for, justice in England on behalf of the King. Torture was perfectly legal, and common, and burning was the punishment for heresy. More was literally doing his job. Under what circumstances could he not punish a unrepentant heretic when every law and norm of the era required it?
Sam, so perhaps the truth is that Thomas More was... *a cop* , and the thesis that *all cops are bastards* has been scientifically replicable since the advent of the smartphone.
@@rhiconic Be careful what you read about Thomas Moore. There has been a sustained campaign especially in England to discredit him. Unfortunately the once great BBC has been in the vanguard to try and destroy Thomas Moore's reputation because the BBC has been taken over by religious phobes.
A PROFOUND reply.@@SMFCNA
One of the greatest films ever made. And Thomas More is one of my favorite saints.
I am Catholic but history is history More had protestants tortured this film is about the 1960's not about Henry and More
@@billhaywood3503 ....indeed. Acts of unrighteousness are just that.
"one of my favorite saints."
Only because you know little of the REAL man, clearly ! You must ALWAYS look _beyond_ the MYTH. For example, according to Jasper Ridley:
""Sir Thomas More, a brilliant lawyer, writer and intellectual who was a particularly nasty sadomasochistic pervert. He enjoyed being flogged by his favourite daughter as much as flogging heretics, beggars and lunatics in his garden. He humiliated his wife by pointing out to his guests, in her presence, how ugly she was in order to show that he had not married her because he was lusting for a beautiful woman."
Woud YOU have wanted such a man as your next-door neighbour ?
He doesn't sound very 'saintly' to me, at any rate..................................does he to you ?
The point is that a man may be both courageous AND vicious at the same time - but he should not be canonised for it, surely ? Otherwise, we might as well make (eg) Richard III a saint !
@@marvinc9994 Saint
@wolemai You need to read up on your history. Catherine of Aragon died 11 years before Henry did, before Henry married his third wife, Jane Seymour.
Also, the convents and monasteries had long outlived their usefulness needed to go. They far too much land, land that was beyond the king's power to tax, permanently off the market, and in many cases under- or un-utilized for productive agriculture. They were no longer functioning as important centers of learning and culture. It is a shame that he did nothing to make up for the loss of charitable institutions.
My favourite film of all time. The screenplay, the direction, the subject matter, the photography and the acting. Most of all, the masterclass performance of Paul Schofield
Even here in Melbourne Australia at least 3 Catholic elementary/primary schools are named after him
Melbourne is actually pronounced *Mel bin*
Better than naming them after George Pell I suppose.
@@Denis.Collins Not nearly flawed as the many processes and people involved in investigating this vile , narcissistic sociopath .
@@johncarruthers5552 You know damn well that Pell was innocent. It was obvious to anyone with basic critical thinking skills.
He was lucky enough to be vindicated in this life; not so for Thomas More, or Christ - but there's good company among those falsely accused by corrupt establishments.
@@lloydsspace What I do know is that Pell is as guilty as sin of all he was charged with and more besides .
Don't presume to tell me what I know about this sadistic, cowardly predator , this wanton destroyer of young lives .
Shame on you .
And spare me the blather about the lying Thomas Moore .
His clumsy lies about Richard the Third show him to be a grovelling partisan hack .
Best picture of the year and best performance by an actor. Great movies start with great writing.
@@williamstolley2165
Another great period piece is "The Lion in Winter."
The decision to cut away for the "NEVERTHELESS!" so so curious to me. Still one of the all time great line deliveries though.
Scofield was a wonderful actor. Mesmerising as Sir Thomas Moore. Also excellent in Quiz Show.
Fine performance by Paul Schofield. Sir Thomas Moore was one of England's Courageous characters in History.
And Richard the lionheart... Catholic king of England.
Saint Thomas More
so, this is why Rumpole of the Bailey did not want to do prosecution work: apparently, he did so in a previous life...
😁
That's what I think whenever I see this.
This scene is less a contrast of the Medieval mindset and the modern one, but of objective morality trumping ethical relativism.
More was arguing that there exists a fundamental source of determining rightness and wrongness, and people saying an act is wrong does not make it so.
He makes much sense.
It's actually a no-brainer. Anything that is self-defeating is folly. Anyone who would perish if treated by their own rules deserves to perish.
I keep remembering a moment from the movie K-Pax, the question about how people on K-Pax live in peace if there are no laws and no law enforcement; How do they determine what is right and what is wrong? - And the response was that every living being in the universe knows that very well.
And that is so true. People know they are doing bad things; That is why they have to justify them. (You don't justify your decision to run a homeless shelter. Because everybody knows it is good.)
@@Dowlphin You mentioned K-Pax ..One of the greatest men I met loved K-Pax
@@Dowlphin That's gravely oversimplified and dangerous.
Yes, we do not have steady rudders nowadays and the civility and rationality that a functioning society needs. We must always seek to reach a higher plane. That reminds me of the magnificent words in the courtroom by the brother of the man who was shot and killed in his own apartment. The female police officer maintained that she thought he was intruder in her apartment.He forgave her and held her in his arms as she wept. There are not a few Muslims who have become Christians because the essence of Christianity is forgiveness. That is almost absent in Islam. Yes, and we who follow Christ must never forget to forgive, hard as it may be.
@@ulyssgrant3178 He did not have the right to forgive her..for if i was killed illegally It would be up to me to forgive them..do you see my point? However, we all need to move to that higher plane( as you call it) for humanity will not survive if it does not do so. You are a good man Ulyss Grant.
This is my dad’s favorite saint. We were able to see and venerate a relic of his last year. As well as that of Saint Philomena, my favorite saint
en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philomena
I'm sorry but Catholic saints tend to be heretics when actually concerning the teachings of Christ. Hell, if it wasn't for the damned war the Church got itself into with itself the Templars would still be around instead of having been declared heretics for the help of the King of France who owed thousands in gold
@@DazedSpy2 So glad someone pointed this out.
@@DazedSpy2 Well said. Saints do not torture, nor do they burn people; nor do they withhold the word of God from the common people. Unbelievably, the Anglican communion decided to venerate More in 1979 - the man who burned protestants, persecuted Tyndale and attempted to suppress the translation of the Bible into English.
@@markchambers3833 ¡Qué tristeza! ¡A 400 años de la decapitación de More por real designio de Octavo el disoluto se le encasquetan supuestos delitos a un hombre que se dejó matar por no traicionar su fe en la iglesia por encima de la monarquía!
Outstanding acting, one of the best movies made along with Becket staring Richard Harris.
What an incredible movie.
Reminds me of the Gov of the U.S. Those guilty of treason pass judgment on the innocent.
well said
Here here!!
Who else?
Agreed. The treasonous Trump is still spouting off like the fool he is. Unbelievable he isn't in jail.
When Pope Benedict XVI , who is very knowledgeable about the life Thomas More visited London several years ago, he actually spoke in the hall where this trial took place. When he was leaving, the Pope was shown the plaque on the floor designating the place where Thomas More made his defense, and was condemned to death ! Very cool indeed!
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_Benedict_XVI
Jesus' death is the obly "cool". For the rest of us, we are simpke mortals. This men only fought for the power and siding with their favorite, that's nothing to be proud of.
@@jesusofnazareth6254 your name certainly describes you very well indeed. Either you don’t know very much history or you are off your meds!
@@giovanniserafino1731 I'm not going to teach you nothing about Jesus, because i see you're more delighted about the "Roman Church" and its propaganda. I'll pray to Jesus (not to dead "saints" because talking to the death is a sin) for the salvation of your manipulated soul. Go pray to your saints and corrupt popes, and pedophiles, but don't worry, my brother, for i'll be praying for you.
@@jesusofnazareth6254 silly brainwashed little low church prot, go do some actual historical and theological research then you can lecture people on true religion. How dare you use the Lord’s name too, a great sacrilege.
This is my favorite film. It is all the more so brilliant because much of it contains the words of St. Thomas More himself. He believed in all that he said. He was devoted to the poor. He believed in the higher education of women, teaching his daughters Latin, Greek, astronomy., etc. Towards the end of the film in which his wife, his second wife, Alice, begs him to just take the oath and be done with it.
He had been a widower, and then married Alice, wanting to have a mother for his children. In his cell, she begs him to just take the oath, and come home again once more. He embraced her and called her a "lioness of a woman." She was, of course, a pragmatist. And who can really blame her at the time ?.We know so much about him because of Thomas Roper, his son-in-law, who removed his head from a pike on the London Bridge, and went on to write More's biography. More's word was his bond, a vital precept which our father quoted rather frequently to us.
The riverman who transported him between his home and Hampton Court Palace, which belonged to King Henry the VIII. The boatman was the person who goes with the flow, keeping his head down, willing to go along with the present mores of the culture and the time. He is the epitome of the "common man," who lets himself be overcome by the common mores of society.We are in dire need today in the US of such people. This "culture" of ours is in a death spiral.
This beloved country of ours will only be vanquished
from within.
There is another man you should know about. He was a German who came of age around the time of Hitler's rise. Franz was but a regular person. He ended up being a prophet, and one such is often rejected by the rest of us.Franz Jaegerstatter (sp.). He lived in a small town in Germany and was known as a teenager to ride a motorcycle, fast. His lifestyle for years made the people of that time not really approve his behaviors. He was living a totally norman life, the same as most of us. He was drafted by the Nazis. He had long conversations with his wife regarding his intense disapproval of Hitler's tenets.They both knew well of the consequences, but she gave him her permission. He was taken prisoner, and I believe that he was beheaded for treason. Believe in the good. Some may pay a hard price for it.
The price of being a man of integrity is always exceedingly high, which is why the majority choose the vastly easier path.
Helmuth Huebner was another such German patriot, the youngest person to be sentenced to death by a star chamber. He posted documentation of inaccuracies in official news reports, as well as BBC summaries of events to provide a comparison. He was no saboteur or guerilla, just a teenager with a radio and typewriter.
Like More, he felt constrained to tell the truth. And after refusing to recant, he was executed.
@@TheFranchiseCA Most Catholic saints are unknown and uncanonized. The average person can reach the highest level and heroism by zealous search for the Truth of Christ. I don't know if this great young man has been put forward for an examination of his validity. I detest the current trend to canonized all recent popes. It is totally absurd and reminds me of volatile Vatican careerism, even after death. Paul VI did nothing to stop the gush of those pushing religious orders over a cliff. It is a tragedy in Church history. It was the major superiors who were responsible. 98 % of the junior professed left, often because they realized the mission of their order was blocked. They were being brainwashed that the only way to serve Christ is with the poor. The Jesuit DeGiacomo brothers at Fordham
were responsible for much of this thinking. You can serve Christ in all settings.
We were taught at school of the importance of water throughout the play.
Historian
Oh God what quality this film has , production, cinematography, acting and actors , sadly nothing remotely like it today , cinema today has nothing on it compared to this golden era of film
I remember seeing this in my 30s on cable. I recently searched for it on several different apps, and the internet. Could not find it for the life of me. Now over ten years later I watched this clip and it's just as good, if not better than I remember it. The combination of law and morals I do attest by and that's what piqued my interest originally. I think the way he is depicted says much about personal integrity and principles, the stuff we were made of when we were young and idealistic but maybe somehow forgot along the way.
ugh....just an Amazing piece of masterpiece right here....looooove it.
Great movie, keeps closely to the facts. Well deserved Oscar for Scofield. One of Robert Shaw's better roles as a very bombastic Henry VIII.
H8, Shaw gave a true portrayal of the most vain pompous, arrogant adulterer in history. England has been Catholic for longer than its decline to Church of England And where and WHY do we have a Cof E today. What is the point of this vile heresy ? The pews are groaning with woodworm not with use.
Not only is Paul Scofield one of only 24 people to win the Triple Crown of Acting (Oscar, Emmy, and Tony), he still holds the record doing so in the shortest length of time. He only needed seven years to complete the milestone.
Quite simply an acting 'tour de force' by Paul Schofield certainly one of the finest pieces of movie acting ever and when asked what he did when he was awarded the Oscar he simply said I opened a bottle of wine for myself and my wife the next day. The oscar was posted to him and it arrived in pieces and he asked his gardener to fix it
Wonderful performance. I saw him on the London Stage as Salieri in ' Amadeus ' and he was great in that too !
One of my favorite movies. St. Thomas More is a hero of the Catholic Faith!
@Dan Beech Catholic is the original Chistian dear.
@Dan Beech
Correct, and they were Catholic/Orthodox.
Are the words of the Catholic Mass scrawled on the walls of caves in Turkey dating to before Constantine, or is it Baptist altar calls and narcissistic "hymns" about me me me?
@Dan Beech Bigot and ignorant.
@Dan Beech Not Christian! Did you not listen to what he said? Alas, for you sir.
@@danbeech4241 only Catholics and Orthodox are real Christians, your faith was made by men in the 16th Century, ours was given to us by Christ Himself when he ordained St. Peter and gave him the keys to Heaven
One of the greatest historical dramas ever made.
Who knew Rumpole was a prosecutor before becoming a defense lawyer?
Or a Swami ..... "Come to the Window! Come to the Window!"
Old Bailey hack.
Also, was the new Number 2.
@@jeffreyjeziorski341 Did he call the Judge "old darling"?
@@glen7318 I think he said that of everyone above his power or rank.
But he also says "dear old Longfellow" or "dear old Wordsworth", so I think he is decided to have fun when and where he can, as he is aging, and does not have many prospects.
Same old, same old, a bottle of Pommeroy's plonk, or perhaps some Cheateau de Thames Embankment, then off to home and She Who Must Be Obeyed.
"Is it necessary?"
Translation: the jury was bought off
Frightened off. They knew that they or their families could have "problems" if they didn't vote "correctly".
I understood that moment to mean the jurors were being intimidated into rendering the verdict Cromwell demanded and everyone knew the King wanted. Retiring to deliberate in private might have let the jurors work up the courage to acquit More.
Reminds me our election.
St Thomas More.. Model of total Integrity... May God be With you... 🙏🙏🙏🙏
Brilliant film, casting, delivery, costume design etc
A good and brave man in his time. Sir Thomas More was correct, and don't you find it strange that everyone who accused him of this crime ended up being punished with death by King Henry VIII years later. Some of them 'passed quietly in their sleep', or put another way death by Royal consent.
Brilliant movie and timeless.
@@TheWarforged Are you on day release from a home ? Everything you said here is a lie . Nonsense of a pernicious kind.
Actually, I think you're the idiot and are completely ignorant of history of the period. I am a PhD in history and studied extensively the so called English Reformation. The only other conclusion is you are an anti-Catholic bigot or you're off your meds!
@@giovanniserafino1731 Something tells me that PhD. is in your mind only. There can be no other explanation for your responding so ignorantly to the well known history of More as a burner of "heretics" who believed differently to what he believed.
@@TheWarforged Thomas More, the murderer--wow, that's a new one! Thank God it's a lie, but sad to see such a great man maligned by the knaves.
@@conlaiarla He is correct.
Such noble courage & integrity, a man of another age.
Truly the heights of cinema
Paul Schofield. This is in my opinion, the greatest piece of acting in cinema history!
After watching the Queen's Funeral , anyone can see the proof of the abomination of the Anglican Church .
My stomach turned when they placed the regalia on top of a Church's High Altar - almost equating a sovereign to God .
My mind came back to this scene when Thomas More reminded us all that no sovereign can claim divinity . To do so , is an abomination .
Christ is king -not man!
The magic fo the films from that era, this one, A Lion in Winter and Beckett, come to mind immediately .. fantastic historical dramas
Brilliant, riveting, and so moving!
It's 50 years since I have seen this film, it's an immensely powerful film. I must watch it again.
St. John Fischer, pray for us
joseph karl Wrong Saint man. This is St Thomas Moore
@@bedrichsmetana4777 His last name is More, not Moore.
But even still, St. John Fisher, cardinal and bishop, pray for us!
St John Fisher is one of my distant forebears, though, as a Catholic saint, he has been largely and deliberately forgotten or sidelined by his Protestant descendants. May God forgive him his sins and grant him eternal rest!
@@Alex462047 Interesting that you're praying for a Saint. Pray rather for his protestant descendants :-)
Amazing performances most notably, from Paul Scofield but also from Wendy Hillier. The best movie ever!!
That "Nevertheless," is thunderous.
I thought this was the finest film I ever saw when it first appeared. I still feel the same. Brilliant in every respect.
One of the greatest performances ever.
Scofield was a giant of an actor, he reduces the trophy of an 'Oscar' to the state of irrelevance.
sir Thomas Moore pray for England and her return to the One and only true Church
Man, the One and only true Church sure been doing a lot of work recently covering the asses of its pedo priests and doing money laundering for NATO, though? Are you sure that the One and only true Church, which once fielded armies of mercenaries to fight brutal land grab wars with local Italian princes at about the same time the pope was having incest orgies, is a good fit for anybody who isn't a martyrdom obsessed self-hating loon?
@@SMFCNA most of stuff you say you actually know shit about and you font understand, doesnt matter, its a 2000 years old institution, ofcourse there is a lot of bad stuff happened, its a fuckin long time. Nobodys perfect, tell me one institution that is not corrupt? Church is established by Jesus, thats why it is the One and True, with all its flaws and virtues. If it wasnt, it would have vanished looong time ago. Althought you are full of hate towards Church, she still loves you and wants to embrace you.. Keep educate yourself, seek and you shall find, despite wrong deeds of individuals throughout 2000 years, there is nothing better on this planet than Catholic Church
@@SMFCNA Perhaps, before launching into a one-sided diatribe against the Catholic Church, you should Google the name of ANY religion on the earth, and then type in "sex crimes" or the like. Jews, Mormons, JWs, Episcopalians, Baptists, et alia will give you MONTHS of reading material. And then ask yourself why you hate the Catholic Church so much. Who really is a "self-hating loon?"
@jayhuegan The protecting cohorts happen to be the Church of Christ, which is why I have a problem with them!
@Novak Ingood so 2000 years people are fools but you are not? After 2000 years of "fools" brilliant intellectuals, scientist, philosophers, warriors you are the smart one? Haha i dont think so
Earlier in this scene, More corrects Cromwell's sloppy application of the law by pointing out "silence gives consent" in Latin, so that More's silence as to the marriage must legally be construed as consent rather than as denial. I seem to recall Jimmy McGill, Esq., recently quoting that same Latin maxim "qui tacet consentiere" in an episode of Better Call Saul.
ARGHABLARGHABLARGANARGH!!!! Translation: "He's got a good point."
And that would mean the angry mob next after he cried aloud that he'd not bend to the marriage
There are film biographies have such a powerful actor as the lead character that after viewing the film, one almost feels one has met the historical person. Surely this performance is one of those times.
"Considering the evidence it shouldn't be necessary for them to retire. Is it necessary?"
No more than it will be when you get yours Cromwell.
Interesting clip. I was sent here by my professor. I will try and watch this movie when I get a chance. I also like to hear when someone says I will not bend to the knee to any king or president.
Too many twists and turns in this life, especially when the path is a political one. For love of God, More chose to walk the straight and narrow and he paid the ultimate price. But at least he got to meet God at last and find his peace.
I wonder if the people he had executed had anything to say to him in the afterlife.
@@althesmith and most were executed for heresy, burnt at the stake, not for some sordid crime.
Religion is a scam. Believing in God costs no money and requires no clergy. Most people know better now.
I saw one version of this story where Moore endorsed the cover up of a priest raping a young girl. Hmmm, it sounds all too familair
@supernumery That's very interesting. Who by name did More torture and murder?
As much as I love Wolf Hall as a piece of television the shear brilliance of acting and history in A Man for All Seasons blows it out of the water for quality and accuracy.
Had not realised Rumpole had been practicing for so long.
Or for the prosecution…
I will now discharge my mind and the kings title. The indictment in grounded in an act of parliament which is directly repugnant, to the law of God and Holy church, the supreme government of which no temporal person may by any law may presume to take upon it. It is therefore, insufficient in law to charge any Christian to obey it. And more than this, the immunity of the church is guarded in the manga carter and the kings own coronation oath. - Sir Thomas More
Thomas Moore is one of my favorite people.
Do not regret your office. You send me to God.
@MichaelKingsfordGray never short of a few people like you.
@MichaelKingsfordGray 100% Lunacy ..... Dying for Religion is Stewpid!
I never noticed this before and am going to watch this again with my dvd... but did anyone else see that in the shot looking forward to the judges (the back of Thomas Moore) the foreground crowed looked digitally inserted? They did not even stand or sit as the judges did, and the guy in the cream colored cap had a very “non-human“ movement about him.
Never thought I’d see this movie again
I’m 80 now and must make an effort to see it again
Who out there remembers “They Shoot Horses Don’t They”
Another favorite from the 60’
...... 👏👏👏 👍
Phil. Liverpool UK 🇬🇧
Susanna York appeared in both films.
Cinematic magic, a proper film superbly acted, a top ten movie of all time
This scene has only 660k views..its deserves more..oh my
this is a fantastic film. first class in every respect .
God bless this man. Saint Thomas Moore didn't bend himself to the World.
In a word?
Yes.