I think I have probably watched A Man For All Seasons (1966) more times than any other film I have viewed, and that is saying something for me as I often like to revisit films that I have enjoyed. Each time I view it I see something that I missed in it before. The film is often quite subtle and an important point can go flitting by in an instant. Like the man it vividly portrays, the film is complex and multi-faceted. Recently this passage struck me with some force:
“The law is not a “light” for you or any man to see by; the law is not an instrument of any kind. …The law is a causeway upon which, so long as he keeps to it, a citizen may walk safely.”
In times of riot and widespread lawlessness, that is taken away from the citizens of a polity, and that is just what is happening in so many places in our nation today. Great works of art are never frozen in amber. They resonate forever in all times, and that is what this film does.
Same with me, Don: I’ve watched the film multiple times and read the play itself by Robert Bolt. Also watched the version with Carlton Heston, which was well done. But Paul Scofield is a tough “act to beat” – he did a masterful job as the good Saint. Same with Dame Wendy Hiller as Lady Alice, esp at the prison, when she reads the riot act to the jailer trying to escort her away from Sir Thomas. 🙂 A lioness, indeed!
More than the princess bride? Inconceivable!
Excellent pick though. That and the line “I give the benefit of law, for my own safety sake.” Is another one I wish more people would take to heart. It is amazing to me how much people today seem to believe they will never be the mob’s next target. (i.e. multiple people have warned Shea about tech censorship- he’s been in Facebook jail twice now and STILL hasn’t reflected on the danger)
Yes, good art is Truth revealing itself in action.
My oldest son leaves for his first year of college in just a few weeks. He will be challenged like he has never been challenged before, especially in light of the times in which we live. And I’m not talking about being challenged in an academic sense (although there will be that, too). I plan to make time before we leave for Maryland to take him to school (he will be attending Washington College on) to sit with him and watch this movie. And discuss it’s implications in today’s world.
Definitely a great movie. My favorite, though Becket and The Mission are close contenders.
You know Don….
What if you started movie open threads? For example, Becket? You can stream it free on Tubi or Hoopla.
https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/becket
What if once a week (or a day, whichever) you found a classic movie, free to stream, and posted it up for discussion?
I mean… I know I value the recommendations of many here for classic films I still haven’t gotten around to, so I like these semi-scholarly recommendations. (and I say that because, really, how scholarly can movies be?)
A worthy idea Nate. I will take it under consideration.
One of the most interesting things about the film is that it provides clarification (unwanted?) on the origins of the Anglican church. Many of its member fuzz over the exact process because it undermines the legitimacy of their belief. I doubt that was the actual intent of the producers but the truth won out anyway.
Great wisdom from a great film from an era when great films that fed the mind and the souldwere commonly available. Long, long ago.