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Luther
2003 123 min Germany, United States of America PG-13 12+
★6.4
Drama, History
Director: Eric Till
Trailers
Description
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.
Budget:
$30M
US Gross:
$5.79M
Worldwide:
$29.4M
Starring
Joseph Fiennes
Actor
Bruno Ganz
Actor
Peter Ustinov
Actor
Awards
4 wins & 1 nomination total
Key opinion
Luther (2003) is widely regarded as a sincere and earnest biographical drama that succeeds in portraying the historical importance and personal internal conflict of the reformer. While praised for its production values and dedication to historical context, the film faces criticism for a somewhat idealized script and a singular focus on Luther's perspective at the expense of broader theological or political nuance.
| Acting | Joseph Fiennes delivers a nuanced and dedicated performance that effectively captures Luther's inner turmoil and moral courage. | |
| Production | The production design and costumes successfully evoke the atmosphere of 16th-century religious and political turbulence. | |
| Screenplay | The screenplay effectively balances the narrative between Luther's personal spiritual journey and the historical impact of the Reformation. | |
| Acting | Opinions on the lead performance are divided; while some applaud Fiennes’ vulnerability, others find the portrayal lacking the necessary charisma to justify his massive historical influence. | |
| Screenplay | The narrative is split between those who appreciate the intimate, biographical focus and critics who feel the film neglects essential political and theological context. |