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A Man for All Seasons
1966 120 min United Kingdom G 12+
★8.2
Drama, History
Director: Fred Zinnemann
Trailers
EN
EN
Description
A depiction of the conflict between King Henry VIII of England and his Lord Chancellor, Sir Thomas More, who refuses to swear the Oath of Supremacy declaring Henry Supreme Head of the Church in England.
Budget:
$3.9M
Worldwide:
$28.35M
Starring
Paul Scofield
Actor
Wendy Hiller
Actor
Robert Shaw
Actor
Awards
BAFTA 1968
— Best British Actor
Academy Awards 1967
— Best Cinematography (Color)
Academy Awards 1967
— Best Picture
Academy Awards 1967
— Best Picture
Academy Awards 1967
— Best Supporting Actor
Golden Globe 1967
— Best Screenplay
BAFTA 1968
— Best Screenplay for a British Film
Golden Globe 1967
— Best Director
Academy Awards 1967
— Best Actor
Academy Awards 1967
— Best Director
BAFTA 1968
— Best British Film
Moscow International Film Festival 1967
— Special Mention
Academy Awards 1967
— Best Adapted Screenplay
Academy Awards 1967
— Best Supporting Actress
BAFTA 1968
— Best Picture
Golden Globe 1967
— Best Supporting Actor
Moscow International Film Festival 1967
— Silver Award – Best Actor
Academy Awards 1967
— Best Costume Design (Color)
Golden Globe 1967
— Best Actor (Drama)
Golden Globe 1967
— Best Picture (Drama)
BAFTA 1968
— Best Cinematography (Color)
BAFTA 1968
— Best Production Design (Color)
BAFTA 1968
— Best Costume Design (Color)
Key opinion
A Man for All Seasons is widely regarded as a polished, literate historical drama that excels through its sharp dialogue and strong central performances. While some critics find the film's theatrical, restrained approach dry or lacking in depth, most celebrate it as a profound exploration of personal integrity versus absolute power.
| Acting | Paul Scofield delivers a highly nuanced and authoritative portrayal of Sir Thomas More that serves as the film's emotional anchor. | |
| Screenplay | Robert Bolt’s screenplay is praised for its incisive, dialogue-driven quality that effectively transforms historical conflict into a compelling moral drama. | |
| Direction | Fred Zinnemann’s direction successfully prioritizes internal humanity and psychological tension over historical spectacle. | |
| Production | The film’s production design and costume work are highly regarded for their meticulous historical detail and authentic recreation of the Tudor era. | |
| Pacing | The static, theatrical style and deliberate pacing are appreciated for their focus on morality, yet some find the approach uninspired and emotionally detached. |