Luther

I rented this movie a couple of years ago and was fascinated with the history of the churches. After seeing it, I HAD to purchase some CD's for gifts. This is a fantastic movie, full of history, revelation, and adventure. Every Protestant and Catholic should see it!!!!!

A gripping portrayal of the reasons for the reformation of the Roman Catholic Church. This movie reveals how the church was becoming corrupted by greed and selfish intersts in the government and individuals with power within the Roman Catholic Church. The characters were well chosen for their rolls and the acting was supurb. A bit violent in parts however.

The life of the 16th-century German monk Martin Luther (1483-1546) was filled with inner compulsions, focusing on his crucial years of his crusade against the Catholic Church, leading to his break with the Roman Catholic Church...

Director Eric Till presents Rome as a shattered city where depravity was everywhere... This infuriated Luther who could not believe that Rome is a circus describing it as 'a running sewer, where you can bye anything, sex, and salvation, and where they also have brothels for clerics.'

He also witnesses the church collecting coins from the people supposedly to free their sins to build Saint Peter's Church and would be therefore released from Purgatory and enter the Heaven...

Luther was eventually branded a heretic, his books examined and burned, and anyone who presumes to infringe Pope Leo's excommunication will stand under the wrath of Almighty God and the Apostles Peter and Paul...

The reaction of the peasants in Germany was against the reaction of the Inquisition who was burning his writings...For the German people "you can't burn his ideas." For the Church, his works shall be erased from the memory of man!

Luther's criticism was not against his Holiness, Pope Leo X, but of those rogues who claim to represent him... His goal was not to quarrel with the Pope or the Church but to defend them than mere opinion! The Gospel, as he affirmed, cannot be denied for the word of man!

As a loyal son of the Church, Luther finds sanctuary with Prince Frederick, who finds him too daring for him but decides not to surrender him to Rome... Luther goes on to produce his first translation of the New Testament Bible into German language... He marries the ex-nun, Katerina Von Borg, becomes a hero to the people and in spite of his outlaw status with the Church authorities, his followers ultimately break with Rome...

Joseph Fiennes played intensely the intriguing story of a brilliant Augustinian monk with an independent mind who is not interested in comfort but in the truth!

Sir Peter Ustinov--in his final role--realizes the danger Luther poses to the Catholic Church...

Alfred Molina as Brother John Tetzel, is the showman terrorizing the good people of Jüterbog into purchasing special indulgences letting everyone know the fires of hell awaiting those who did not contribute...

Johann Von Staupitz is the spiritual counselor who knows that Martin has aptitude for law, and could be send to Rome for a legal brief...

Claire Cox is Luther's beautiful wife who stood behind her young 16th century monk driven by courage and outrage against a powerful Medieval Church...

The complexity of the Reformation is often hard to capture in a single film but this film on the life of Martin Luther does a very good job of introducing viewers to the issues while telling a compelling story of a brilliant inspired man who changed world history.

Luther was a combination of a rebellious spirit, a brilliant mind, and a strong personality able to confront persons of much greater power and prestige. These attributes combined with his religious devotion, clear understanding of the essence of the New Testament, and ability to sort the message of Christ from the crippling dogma of Renaissance Roman Catholicism helped direct his destiny. All of this plus a strong sense of social justice are all factors in the unique man that was Martin Luther.

It is important to note that the Reformation occurs at a point when Roman Catholicism had grown corrupt and despite the horrors of the 30 years war and other Protestant versus Catholic conflicts, Catholicism was eventually strengthened by the external critics and forces that eventually resulted in reform within the church.

The film makes it clear that religious reformation also was connected to political considerations and the forces of nationalism also. The English and German churches split away from the Italian centered Roman Catholics on issues of both faith and dogma but also along the lines of emerging nationalism.

Joseph Fiennes does a fine job as Luther, a man sometimes tortured by self-doubt and concern that the devil directed his rebellious spirit. Jonathan Firth is excellent as the bright envoy of the Pope, sent to quell the influence of Luther. Alfred Molina gives a strong performance as a priest who uses emotionalism and fear to derived funds from the poor. However, the performance of Sir Peter Ustinov as King Frederick the Wise of Saxony was absolutely wonderful. Ustinov's last performance on film is superb. His comic timing and excellent delivery is a treat for the viewer.

There are those who may think that too much was squeezed into this film. They are probably correct. There are those who think the film is anti-Catholic. They are incorrect for the practices displayed in the film are actually minor examples of the corruption that invaded the Catholic Church during this time. There may be those who think that the personal life of Luther, such as his marriage to an ex-nun, are never fully explored. They are also correct but a single film can only cover so much territory. This is bright informed entertainment for thinking folks.

A fabulous movie about a very brave, important man. Recommended to all who are seeking God and are fearful of making the sacrifices necessary.