A witty film mocking human stupidity and opportunism. A film about depravity, pretence and cowardice. It is also a film about courage, honesty, fidelity to truth and love of God. The main character is Thomas More, a well-known personality from the early modern period, a lawyer, the author of Utopia. Although he was alone in his views, he was not afraid to stand against the majority and sacrificed his own benefit and life for the sake of the Truth.

The King has a mistress, Anne Boley, and urges that a divorce be formally granted. He also wants to gain support from Morus for his decision. Thomas is important to the King, he has a prominent position and he does not want his royal authority to be undermined in any way.

King Henry VIII, because of his perverse aims, makes a proposal to the Church of England to renounce obedience to the Pope, for which he is willing to pay a large sum of money. At the same time, the King’s status as supreme head of the Church in England was to be confirmed.

As is well known, a significant section of the Church accepted the King’s terms. Thomas Morus subsequently renounced his position as Chancellor. When Thomas does not even appear at the King’s wedding, that is, when the King fails to obtain even tacit approval on Thomas’s part, Thomas is to be punished.

Cromwell supporting the king was executed 5 years after More for treason. The archbishop was burned at the stake. The Duke of Norfolk was also to be burned for treason, but the king died the night before of syphilis.

Parents Guide: The film deals with a request for a divorce from King Henry VIII of England. The execution of Thomas More is hinted at. A couple of times drinking wine.

Cast: Paul Scofield, Wendy Hiller, Leo McKern, Robert Shaw, Orson Welles, Susannah York, Nigel Davenport, John Hurt, Corin Redgrave, John Nettleton, Vanessa Redgrave, Raymond Adamson, Eric Mason, Jack Gwillim

Crew: Fred Zinnemann

United Kingdom, 1966

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