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.
Release Year: 2003
Rating: 6.7/10 (7,486 voted)
Critic's Score: 47/100
Director:
Eric Till
Stars: Joseph Fiennes, Bruno Ganz, Peter Ustinov
Storyline 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.
Writers: Camille Thomasson, Bart Gavigan
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
Filming Locations: Bavaria Studios, Munich, Bavaria, Germany
Box Office Details
Budget: €21,000,000
(estimated)
Opening Weekend: $187,434
(Austria)
(19 February 2003)
(52 Screens)
Gross: $29,475,432
(Worldwide)
(2004)
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Did You Know?
Trivia:
There are 66 screen credited actors. Of those, 61 are male, and only 5 are female.
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: Martin Luther:
To go against conscience is neither right nor safe. I cannot, and I will not recant. Here I stand. I can do no other. God help me.
User Review
Incredible experience
Rating: 10/10
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.
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