Luther is the title of several films about the life of Martin Luther, father of the Protestant Reformation:
Luther (1961) is a play by John Osborne that explored the forces that were involved in the life of the famous reformer. Osborne was influenced by Erik Erikson's book, Young Man Luther, which had been published 3 years prior in 1958. In the play, Luther's reputed constipation played a part in the course of Luther's life and career. Osborne takes Luther to task for his Against the Murderous, Thieving Hordes of Peasants (1525), and its call for vigorous suppression of the peasants in the Peasants' Revolt (1524-1526). Osborne has Luther giving a philosophically and theologically good answer to the challenge, consistent with Luther's own thinking. This would seem to exculpate Osborne of any accusation of being totally one-sided against Luther. Luther seems to have been a disappointment to Osborne, since he could have followed through in his life as a revolutionary. He does have Johann von Staupitz, although at a time when the historical person would have been dead at least 1 year, telling Luther: "We owe so much to you." The play was made into a film, starring Stacy Keach, Judi Dench, Maurice Denham, Hugh Griffith, Patrick Magee, and Robert Stephens in 1974.
References to Luther in film: In Roman Polanski's film Rosemary's Baby (1968), Rosemary (Mia Farrow) says "He was in 'Luther' and 'Nobody Loves an Albatross' and a lot of television plays and commercials.", referring to her husband's acting credits.
Luther is a 2003 biopic about the life of Martin Luther (1483-1546). It was released by MGM and was partially funded by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. It stars Joseph Fiennes and Alfred Molina.
The film covers Luther's life from his becoming a monk (1505) to the Diet of Augsburg (1530).
The film is rated PG-13 for "disturbing images of violence" and mild language.
Luther is a 1928 film about the life of Martin Luther, father of the Protestant Reformation.
The film starred Eugen Klöpfer as Luther himself and Theodor Loos as Philipp Melanchthon.
Luther is a 1973 film presenting the life of Martin Luther, sometimes considered "the father of the Protestant Reformation." The time span covered is 1506-1526: from Luther's entrance into the Order of Eremites of St. Augustine in Erfurt to the aftermath of the Peasants' War.
The film starred Stacy Keach (as Luther), Patrick Magee, Hugh Griffith and Judi Dench.
Biography of Martin Luther, the 16th-century priest who led the Christian Reformation and opened up new possibilities in exploration of faith. The film begins with his vow to become a monk, and continues through his struggles to reconcile his desire for sanctification with his increasing abhorrence of the corruption and hypocrisy pervading the Church's hierarchy. He is ultimately charged with heresy and must confront the ruling cardinals and princes, urging them to make the Scriptures available to the common believer and lead the Church toward faith through justice and righteousness. Written by scgary66
The movie starts off with Martin Luther trying to escape a severe storm. He promises to become a monk if God lets him live through the storm. He survives and becomes a monk. He goes to Rome to deliver a priest's letters and sees how corrupt Rome has become. He buys an indulgence for his grandfather, Hendrick Luther. He is told, "Hendrick will be released from Purgatory and into the gates of heaven." He realizes that things shouldn't be this way and goes back to Germany to talk to the priest. The priest sends him to Wittenberg to do a doctorate in theology. The priest believes that Martin will be able to "change minds and open eyes" in Wittenberg. Martin often goes to confession and becomes really aggravated with himself. He makes the society to perceive things differently, such as the burial of a suicidal child outside sacred grounds and he preaches in a church and tells everyone how his views toward God have changed. He lectures in his theology class and makes fun of indulgences and the money that the Prince Frederick collects. The Prince's secretary, Spalatin, warns Luther that he should stop embarrassing the Prince because he is the one paying for him at the University. After seeing the effects of the preaching of John Tetzel, Martin Luther comes up with the 95 Theses and nails them onto the door of the church. Bystanders take the theses and use a printing press to turn them into books. This allows everyone to have a copy and his ideas spread faster and easier. Pope Leo X thinks that Martin is a drunken German monk who will change his ideas when he becomes sober. Spalatin tells Luther that he is threatened with excommunication and is summoned to appear in Augsburg by Rome. Aleander prepares Martin and tells him that all he should say in front of Cardinal Cajetan is that he recants but Martin doesn't follow through. Pope Leo X orders Martin's books to be burned and Luther is excommunicated Then, Martin translates the New Testament into German because he believes that the common people need to be able to understand the scriptures. In Worms, Martin is given a hearing and when he is asked if he will recant, he asks for one day to ponder his answer. That night he goes to confession. The next day he refuses to recant. . The Cardinal demands that Martin be delivered to Rome, but Prince Frederick doesn't want that, so he kidnaps Luther and keeps him in Wartburg Castle. When Luther disappears, chaos occurs. The people start to break down the church, and set it on fire. Luther disguises himself as a knight, and goes and stops the people from ruining the church. He finishes translating the New Testament into German and dedicates it to Prince Frederick. He meets a nun named Katharina von Bora and marries her. Pope Leo X dies, 800,000 ducats in debt. The Emperor Charles calls upon all the princes to settle what began at Worms. Luther encourages the princes to speak. He says, "Silence will not save us." All the princes stand up against Charles. Martin was successful. Written by David Henshaw
Julian Glover created the part of the Knight in the original stage production.
Sir John Gielgud was booked to play a major extended cameo but dropped out.
