This is the kind of stuffy period piece that gives period pieces a bad name. It all seems so phony, none of it comes off as genuine. A bunch of actors playing dress-up and doing that all huffy Royal Shakespeare Company kind of bullshit. For most of it I was quite bored. In the latter part of the film, it becomes a more interesting exploration of More's integrity... but who cares when the matter of integrity concerns which snatch the King buries his prick in? Not me.

733

Sorry, but this historical drama was just not as gripping as it tried to be. Recognition is deserved for the wonderful costumes and invested performances, but the pace is a bit too relaxed.

Playing a character whose moral integrity is as solid as a rock, Paul Scofield makes an otherwise dull and academic period piece interesting to watch.

Great play, excellent performances, but the direction is a little too cautious and careful.

Intense. A true work of art.

#790

84.125

Great history lesson, decent movie...

So this is what Oscar bait looked like in 1966? It's really good Oscar bait though.

Splendid, consistent, conscientious, real, and perfectly stoic, just like its hero. Scofield, with that inimitable voice, is perfect in one of the most exquisitely controlled performances ever filmed. Hurt was a real find, perfectly despicable as he grasps blindly for a conscience, and Hiller lends the right note of gruff acidity to balance her almost maddeningly even-keeled husband. Beautifully shot, and makes wonderful use of the outdoors. But Scofield is, as he should be, its chief glory.

Clean, correct and classic. Just how all films should be at least.

If the particulars of Thomas More's crisis of conscience have little relevance now, it is his tenacity in the abstract that continues to compel, nearly 500 years after his death. And Paul Scofield ably portrays his obstinance and intelligence. But the film rarely rises far above "able". It's well-acted (a bit too much ranting, maybe), solidly directed, and nicely shot, with fine sets and costumes. It's just all a little dry, one of those Best Picture winners that's "important" but not exciting.

I cannot help but respect conviction, but I will never truly understand the motivation that leads to this films conclusion. Considered as a piece of film the acting is wonderful, the script moderately good, and the production mediocre. I suspect those whose faith agrees with this film will find it moving, but I can only approach it as a human tragedy, and from that perspective a result that could so readily have been avoided is only so tragic.

As Kevin Smith often says, this is porn for dialogue lovers.

ugh

# 729

Based on a superb play. I saw a new staging of it in 2008 with Frank Langhella in the main role and while he did a tremendous - and touching - job, Scofield is the man to beat. It must be said that even though I have a serious aversion to period dramas I was pretty much blown away. This is a gem.

Stuffy, dry, and, for the most part, poorly acted and directed. It's as if each actor was given one objective and told to hammer that into the ground, most of them overacting along the way. The only bright spot is Orson Welles' performance, and, of course, he only has around five minutes of screen time. It's like a history lecture on film, and not even a correct history lesson. The real Thomas More was nowhere near as saintly as this film would have you believe.

Intriguing meditation on law and the nature of human rights. Plus you have to love Paul Scofield's performance, and that scene he has with John Hurt about teaching

The best compliment I can give this film is that no matter how much I wanted to hate it, it was still gripping and enjoyable to watch. The acting was a little forced but mostly very good and the pacing of the story unfolds perfectly. I can't help but have mixed feelings about the film's message though, since More's saintliness is shown more by contrast with the more despicable people in the film than on his own merits.

Surprisingly interesting movie about Thomas More standing up to the King for the rights of holy matrimony. I absolutely adored the setting and the acting in this movie because, from what I understand of the timeframe, it's incredibly realistic. Wonderful.