Main Cast: Joseph Fiennes, Alfred Molina, Claire Cox, Peter Ustinov
Release Year: 2003
Run Time: 120 minutes
MPAA Rating: PG13
Plot
The life of one of the controversial figures in the history of modern religion is brought to the screen in this historical biography. Born in 1483, Martin Luther (Joseph Fiennes) was an intelligent and principled young man who was studying law in early 16th century Germany when a close brush with death led him to follow a spiritual path and join a Catholic monastery. Under the guidance of Johann von Staupitz (Bruno Ganz), Luther became a valued member of the monastery's hierarchy, and as a sign of his trust, von Staupitz asked Luther to join him for a voyage to Rome as part of church business. Luther was appalled by the corrupt practices of the leading church officials, in particular the sale of "indulgences," in which the wealthy could purchase forgiveness for a wide variety of sins. Luther left the monastery to study theology in Wittenberg; a keen student, he later became a professor and won the support of Frederick the Wise (Peter Ustinov), who also recognized the potential controversy of Luther's iron principles. When a new pope, Leo X, assumes the throne at the Vatican, he orders the construction of St. Peter's Basilica. To pay the costs, an ambitious monk, Johann Tetzel (Alfred Molina), was sent out to sell indulgences to both the wealthy and the poor, leaving his audiences with little doubt of the eternal consequences that awaited those who did not empty their purses. An infuriated Luther wrote an angry essay on the corruption of the church entitled "95 Theses," and thanks to the recent invention of the printing press, Luther's words were soon circulated throughout Europe, leading to an angry conflict with Catholic officials which threatened to tear the church in two. Luther also features supporting performances from Claire Cox as Katharina von Bora and Jonathan Firth as Girolamo Aleandro. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
Herb Andress - Gunter; Mathieu Carrière - Cardinal Cajetan; Bruno Ganz - Johann von Staupitz; Marco Hofschneider - Brother Ulrick; Uwe Ochsenknecht - Pope Leo X; Jochen Horst - Carlstadt; Lars Rudolph - Melanchthon; Jonathan Firth - Girolamo Aleander; Benjamin Sadler - Spalatin; Jeff Caster - Matthew; Torben Liebrecht - Charles V; Maria Simon - Hanna; Christopher Buchholz - Von der Eck; Doris Prusova - Grete; Anatole Taubman - Otto
Credit
Ralf Schreck - Art Director, Christian Schäfer - Art Director, Brigitte Rochow - Casting, Ulla Gothe - Costume Designer, Eric Till - Director, Clive Barrett - Editor, Richard Harvey - Composer (Music Score), Rolf Zehetbauer - Production Designer, Robert Fraisse - Cinematographer, Kurt Rittig - Producer, Brigitte Rochow - Producer, Alexander Thies - Producer, Camille Thomasson - Screenwriter, Bart Gavigan - Screenwriter
