Martin Luther
Seen it?1953 | 105 min | Drama, History
Weeknight Watchearly ratingWhy it’s a Weeknight Watch
With almost no lasting buzz and soft box office, it's a mixed bag. Fine if it's on; don't plan your night around it.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- If you count yourself among people who'll be looking things up afterwards and anyone who likes stories from the past brought to life, this one's for you. Based on real events, so expect to go down a research rabbit hole afterwards. Sits nicely alongside Silence or Belfast.
- The mood
- Thoughtful and character-driven.
- The pace
- Gives its people room to develop, at 1 hr 45 min.
- What might put you off
- Made in 1953: an older pace and style.
- Skip it if you need something light and fast tonight.
A biopic of Martin Luther, covering his life between 1505 and 1530, and the birth of the Protestant Reformation movement.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsSolid
Generally positive reviews
- AudiencesNot counted
Not measured yet: not enough ratings
- AwardsSolid
Nominated for 2 Oscars.
- Box office & staying powerBelow par
$3 million worldwide; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactWeak
About 8K people sought it out in the past year
More like this
Silence
Saturday SpecialAnother historical drama, and a Saturday Special.
Belfast Saturday SpecialAnother historical drama, and a Saturday Special.
Intolerance: Love's Struggle Throughout the Ages Saturday SpecialAnother historical drama.
Luther Weeknight WatchAnother historical drama, though it's more of a weeknight watch.
The Current War Weeknight WatchAnother historical drama, though it's more of a weeknight watch.
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Cast & crew
Directed by Irving Pichel
- Niall MacGinnisMartin Luther
- John RuddockVicar von Staupitz
- Pierre LefevreSpalatin
- Guy VerneyMelanchthon
- Alastair HunterCarlstadt
- David HorneDuke Frederick
- Fred JohnsonPrior
- Philip LeaverPope Leo X
- Heinz PiperDr. Eck
- Leonard WhiteEmissary