Man for All Seasons [Special Edition] DVD

A Man for All Seasons
Adapted by Robert Bolt and Constance Willis from Bolt's hit stage play, A Man for All Seasons stars Paul Scofield, triumphantly repeating his stage role as Sir Thomas More. The crux of the film is the staunchly Catholic More's refusal to acknowledge King Henry VIII (Robert Shaw)'s break from the church to divorce his first wife and marry Anne Boleyn (an unbilled Vanessa Redgrave). Sir Thomas willingly goes to the chopping block rather than sacrifice his ideals. Director Fred Zinnemann retains the play's verbosity without sacrificing the film's strong sense of visuals. The impeccably chosen cast includes Wendy Hiller as Sir Thomas' likably contentious wife Alice, John Hurt as the deceitful Richard Rich (More's put-downs of this despicable character provide some of the film's biggest laughs), Orson Welles as a dour Cardinal Woolsey, Leo McKern as the ambitious Thomas Cromwell, and Susannah York as More's daughter Margaret. The "Common Man," an important bridging-the-scenes character in the original play, is removed from the film version, which does just fine without him. A Man for All Seasons won six Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor, as well as seven British Film Academy awards. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Cast Paul Scofield as Thomas More Wendy Hiller as Alice More Leo McKern as Thomas Cromwell Robert Shaw as Henry VIII Orson Welles as Cardinal Wolsey Susannah York as Margaret More Nigel Davenport as Duke of Norfolk John Hurt as Richard Rich Corin Redgrave as William Roper Colin Blakely as Matthew Yootha Joyce as Averil Machin

Crew Elizabeth Haffenden - Costume Designer Joan Bridge - Costume Designer Fred Zinnemann - Director Ralph Kemplen - Editor Georges Delerue - Composer (Music Score) Georges Delerue - Musical Direction/Supervision Eric Allwright - Makeup George Frost - Makeup Terence Marsh - Production Designer John Box - Production Designer Ted Moore - Cinematographer Fred Zinnemann - Producer Josie MacAvin - Set Designer Robert Bolt - Screenwriter Constance Willis - Screenwriter Robert Bolt - Play Author

A Man for All Seasons
A Man for All Seasons is a handsome adaptation of the stage play on which it is based, with fine acting, solemn issues, and a message of moral order that conservative audiences of the 1960s found attractive. Historians, however, have objected to the glorification of Sir Thomas More, who was hardly the innocent martyr portrayed by playwright/screenwriter Robert Bolt. For example, the historical More urged the executions of various "heretics," a distasteful matter that the film somehow overlooks. The appeal of A Man for All Seasons to 1966 audiences was a direct reaction to the cultural upheavals in the world at large. In a era where once-confident values were being questioned and sometimes destroyed, the story of the principled More, who sacrifices himself rather than give in to change and wickedness, had resonance among those who longed for simpler days with more concrete values. AMPAS, still a bit embarrassed over having honored the libertine Tom Jones three years earlier, showered the film with six Oscars, including Best Picture. ~ Richard Gilliam, All Movie Guide
 

Fred Zinnemann: Academy, Best Director (winner) Fred Zinnemann: Directors Guild of America, Best Director (winner) Fred Zinnemann: Golden Globe, Best Director (winner) Fred Zinnemann: National Board of Review, Best Director (winner) Fred Zinnemann: New York Film Critics Circle, Best Director (winner) Joan Bridge: Academy, Best Color Costume Design (winner) John Box: British Academy Awards, Best Art Direction for a Color British Film (winner) Paul Scofield: Academy, Best Actor (winner) Paul Scofield: British Academy Awards, Best British Actor (winner) Paul Scofield: Golden Globe, Best Actor - Drama (winner) Paul Scofield: National Board of Review, Best Actor (winner) Paul Scofield: New York Film Critics Circle, Best Actor (winner) Robert Bolt: Academy, Best Adapted Screenplay (winner) Robert Bolt: British Academy Awards, Best Screenplay for a British Film (winner) Robert Bolt: Golden Globe, Best Screenplay (winner) Robert Bolt: New York Film Critics Circle, Best Screenplay (winner) Robert Shaw: Academy, Best Supporting Actor (nominated) Robert Shaw: Golden Globe, Best Supporting Actor (nominated) Robert Shaw: National Board of Review, Best Supporting Actor (winner) Ted Moore: Academy, Best Color Cinematography (winner) Wendy Hiller: Academy, Best Supporting Actress (nominated)

Academy, Best Picture (winner) British Academy Awards, Best British Film (winner) Golden Globe, Best Picture - Drama (winner) National Board of Review, Best Picture (winner) New York Film Critics Circle, Best Picture (winner)

General Specifications: Language Options: English, French Subtitle Options: English, French, Por Sound Processing: DD5.1: Dolby Digital w/ sub-woofer channel Additional Features: The Life of Saint Thomas More featurette DVD Aspect Ratio: 1.66:1: Vistavision MPAA Rating: G DVD Discs Included: 1 DVD Sides: 1 DVD DVD Region Code: 1 Content Length: 120 min   DVD Chapters: Disc #1 -- A Man for All Seasons 1. Start [5:15] 2. A Butcher's Summons [4:13] 3. With the Cardinal [6:43] 4. Petitions [1:00] 5. Home to Chelsea [5:07] 6. Saying "No" to a Heretic [4:06] 7. The Duke of Norfolk [1:22] 8. The New Lord Chancellor [1:47] 9. "Surprise" Visit [5:02] 10. Quiet Words [8:20] 11. Catching the Tide [4:12] 12. A Bad, Dangerous Spy [3:22] 13. Rich & the New Secretary [4:30] 14. The King's Answer [1:20] 15. More Resigns [1:36] 16. Explaining His Decision [1:34] 17. The King's Wedding Day [10:31] 18. A Letter [2:39] 19. Conversation With Cromwell [1:04] 20. Ending a Friendship [5:07] 21. News of the Oath [4:57] 22. In the Tower [1:36] 23. An Inquiry [2:34] 24. Family Visit [7:21] 25. The Trial [7:56] 26. Richard Rich Testifies [6:12] 27. Verdict & Discharge [4:21] 28. Sentence Carried Out [3:48]