A Man for All Seasons
Seen it?1966 | 120 min | Drama, History
Saturday SpecialWhy it’s a Saturday Special
It won 6 Oscars, it earned strong reviews (89% on Rotten Tomatoes) and it made about 7 times its budget. A strong pick for the weekend.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for history buffs. If you loved Henry V or The Lion in Winter, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Thoughtful and character-driven.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 2 hr.
- What might put you off
- Made in 1966: an older pace and style.
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
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.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsStrong
89% on Rotten Tomatoes, 72 on Metacritic
- AudiencesSolid
7.3 out of 10
- AwardsVery strong
Won 6 Oscars: Academy Awards: Best Picture, Academy Awards: Best Director, Academy Awards: Best Actor, Academy Awards: Best Screenplay – Based on Material from Another Medium and 2 more. Won 4 Golden Globes: Golden Globe Awards: Best Motion Picture – Drama, Golden Globe Awards: Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama, Golden Globe Awards: Best Director – Motion Picture, Golden Globe Awards: Best Screenplay – Motion Picture. Won 7 BAFTAs: British Academy Film Awards: Best Film from any Source, British Academy Film Awards: Best British Film, British Academy Film Awards: Best British Actor, British Academy Film Awards: Best British Screenplay and 3 more. Won 1 DGA Award: Directors Guild of America Awards: Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion Pictures. Also nominated for 2 more Oscars and 1 more Golden Globe. Plus 14 other awards.
- Box office & staying powerStrong
$28 million worldwide on a $4 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactStrong
About 274K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
More like this
Henry V
Friday Night FlickAlso stars Paul Scofield, in another critically acclaimed musical historical drama.
Hamlet
Sunday Safe BetAlso stars Paul Scofield, in another musical historical drama, and a safe bet for a quiet night.
The Lion in Winter Friday Night FlickAnother critically acclaimed musical historical drama.
The Crucible Saturday SpecialAlso stars Paul Scofield, in another musical historical drama, and a Saturday Special.
Les Misérables Saturday SpecialAnother musical historical drama, and a Saturday Special.
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Cast & crew
Directed by Fred Zinnemann
- Paul ScofieldThomas More
- Wendy HillerAlice More
- Leo McKernThomas Cromwell
- Robert ShawKing Henry VIII
- Orson WellesCardinal Wolsey
- Susannah YorkMargaret More
- Nigel DavenportThe Duke of Norfolk
- John HurtRichard Rich
- Corin RedgraveWilliam Roper (the Younger)
- Colin BlakelyMatthew