Luther: The Movie (Review)

the movie theatre ^ | 9/27/03 | Ralph W. Davis

[AnalogReigns]

I just saw the the new Luther movie. OUTSTANDING!!!! I'm not a big fan of Hollywood in general, and historic (or mis-historic) movies in particularly, because they ALWAYS seem to fudge on historic facts, but this movie is a real exception. I've read the two best biographies of Luther (Bainton's "Here I Stand" and Oberman's "Luther: Man Between God and Devil") and this movie while a summary--to keep it movie length--is ROCK SOLID historic. At the same time its a moving compelling story....that keeps your interest.

A buddy who saw it with me thought the film was only 1 1/2 hours long...when it was really 2 1/2 hours long...just because it really does, keep you on the edge of your seat. The film-makers really do a good job showing the late medieval world brother Martin lived in, as well as the deep corruptions of the Roman church that motivated Luther to his "95 Theses." Not cartoonish in its characters though...it also showed the concern of Cardinals, priests and princes who loved the Roman Catholic church--and opposed Luther, but were genuinely troubled by the same corruptions with pushed Luther to action. The movie also accurately portrayed the terrible consequences of the Peasant's Rebellion....where 100,000 peasants were slaughtered by the nobility---as they had taken Luther's spiritual principles and tried to make a political revolution of them... Luther had written the that nobles should surpress the chaotic rebellion--and they did, utterly ruthlessly, making Luther sorry for his words.

Probably most unique to this movie portrayal of Luther, was the character development of Frederick the Wise, Martin Luther's princely protector--played by Sir Peter Ustinov...an OUTSTANDING performance.

I would encourage all Christians to see this film. Even if you are Catholic, you won't be insulted at the portrayal of Catholics....since it shows how many then were troubled with the corruption and excesses of parts of the church. If you are a Protestant though, and a great admirer of Martin Luther (in spite of all his many faults) as I am, you won't be disappointed either.

Even if you are non-religious....the political AND freedom of conscience ramifications on what the courage of Luther and his followers did--nearly 500 years ago, still rings the bell of liberty today.

By all means, SEE IT!!!!

[AnalogReigns]

The actor who plays Luther, Joseph Fiennes,(of "Shakespear in Love" fame) doesn't really look like the "older" Luther, we've seen pictures of, but catches Dr. Martin's passion and really does a great job.

[loftyheights]

Interesting insight! The older Luther is, in my opinion, significantly different theologically from the younger Luther. When Luther posted his 95 Thesis on the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg in 1517, he was really issuing a list of abuses He percieved the Catholic church was allowing. Read Luther's Galatian's commentary if you want to know the real Luther. Thank you.

[cpprfld]

I saw the movie tonight and I really liked it. The only problem I had was I thought that it jumped around to much. An example was when Luther meets the ex-nun, and then in the next scene he married to her.

[AnalogReigns]

An example was when Luther meets the ex-nun, and then in the next scene he married to her.

I think such was done for brevity's sake. However, historically, seeing as how it was 300 years or so before romance was seen as necessary for marriage--in an era when marriages were almost always arranged, it was in the beginning a very matter-of-fact arrangement. Literally, Katherina Von Bora was the last of the nuns to be taken as a wife, and Luther, after consulting with friends, thought it would be a good idea to marry her--as she had no other place to go. No more romance than that...if anything, the movie played up a pursuit of him by Katherina(the scene where they were talking)--something with no historic substantiation and quite unlikely in that day.

The funny thing is though, by all accounts (even those of his enemies) they had a terrific marriage, got along great (he jokingly called her, "my lord Katie") and never a hint of dissatisfaction or scandal there. It was evidently a case where they grew into eachother...with things becoming romantic after they got married...not before.

Katherina was a tough lady...ran a farm that kept their 6 kids (and constant stream of dinner guests) fed, and was known as brewing the best beer in Germany.

[egarvue]

Thanks for the review! Our Lutheran church :-) managed to get enough viewers together that we get a private showing at the theater tomorrow morning at 10:00. Its been panned by some (but not all) critics, but all of the Christians who've seen it says its fantastic.

[Maynerd]

Even if you are non-religious....the political AND freedom of conscience ramifications on what the courage of Luther and his followers did--nearly 500 years ago, still rings the bell of liberty today.

All of us owe Luther a debt of gratitude. He lit the fuse of freedom that we enjoy today throughout the "West." He had huge faults and made many terrible mistakes, but the world is a better place because of him.

[AnalogReigns]

I love my LCMS brothers. Evangelical Presbyterian Luther fan here....

[AnalogReigns]

ping

[swilhelm73]

Perhaps if we are lucky and the fill does well they could book end Luther's work with a movie on the 30 years war - which led to freedom of religion, of a sort at least.

Still hard to believe that Swedish military might, Dutch capitalism and piety, and French treachery (while I suppose some things never change) won that war...

[Jeff Chandler]

The actor who plays Luther, Joseph Fiennes...

I thought he was played by Gene Hackman?!

[laconic]

I saw it yesterday; even if you're not religious, it was an excellent work of cinematography and history. Joseph Fiennes was great as Luther as was the guy who played the Cardinal who is ordered to Rome.

[f.Christian]

To: bondserv

wf ...

"Any rational modern thinking person clearly can differentiate the God of Christianity from which western civilization, with its freedoms and personal responsibility has produced, from the Gods of other religions."

It is commonly stated that Christians, Jews and Muslims all worship the God of Abraham [some even refer to this triad as Abrahamist].

It is the Westernization that distinguishes Christianity [and Westernized Judaism] from Islam, not the basic tenets. Those have been softened by incorporating Western principles.

http://mason.gmu.edu/~walford/talibanfrance.htm

"Western inquiry and experimentation with limited representative government traces its roots as far back as ancient Greece. The Protestant Reformation then provided the impetus for true democracy to be made real. Martin Luther’s 95 Theses had unintentionally led to a fundamental reconsideration of all authority structures, religious and political. Once the genie was out of the bottle, it was only a matter of time before kings found themselves confronted with subjects demanding their God-given rights. Landed aristocracy soon gave way to market economies.

There is simply no equivalent of this in any other culture. Even in the West, those nations that ... did not embrace the Reformation --- were left politically and economically behind..."

400 posted on 09/26/2003 12:07 PM PDT by walford (I don't relish telling you that the emperor is wearing no clothes. It has to be done.)

time review - link below ...

"For all its faults, "Luther," which opens today nationwide, conveys a great deal of historical information, and now and then it has flashes of real passion. Mr. Ustinov is especially memorable as a canny, titled diplomat navigating a treacherous path between bitterly opposing forces. And the film, photographed by Robert Frazier ("Seven Years in Tibet") on 100 sets in 20 locations throughout Germany, Italy and the Czech Republic, is ravishingly beautiful."

"With religious fundamentalists of every stripe ferociously resisting globalization and modernity, variations of the same primal struggle are still being acted out all over the world. And you are likely to come away from "Luther" with the useful but gloomy realization that the ... movie's essential conflict --- is a never-ending ideological rift programmed into the species."

fC ...

Martin Luther is a 15th century St Paul - Thomas Jefferson ...

the Reformation was the biggest influence in the founding of the constitution - America ---

no small - ' mean ' matter !

[Dr. Scarpetta]

Our Lutheran church :-) managed to get enough viewers together that we get a private showing at the theater tomorrow morning at 10:00.

Just wondering if the Lutheran denomination is officially pro-life or pro-choice.

[KeyWest]

>It is the Westernization that distinguishes Christianity [and Westernized Judaism] from Islam, not the basic tenets. Those have been softened by incorporating Western principles.

It is the fundamental understanding that we are saved by faith and not works and do not need any Priest or King between us and God. He found that in scripture and is fundamental to Protestants. He changed the whole dynamic of authority in the church and government. No more church-state.

Interesting that it is the evangelical Lutherans who, behind the scenes, did more to bring down the Communist empire in East Germany than most realize.

[FrdmLvr]

I thought he was played by Gene Hackman?!

I don't know who Joseph Finnes is, but Gene Hackman seems like an excellent choice for Luther. I could see him in the role.

[The Energizer]

Thanks -- I'm going to see this today - before it disappears from theaters!

[The Energizer]

Thanks -- I'm going to see this today - before it disappears from theaters!

[FrdmLvr]

When the historical details become too clogged, the movie shamelessly overcompensates by wallowing in cheap sentimentality. The most irritating recurrent motif is the regular appearance of a poor peasant woman and her crippled child who follow Luther around and gaze at him in mute worship. At a certain point the child is shown walking with crutches. The implication seems to be that Luther's charisma is so powerful it can work Christ-like miracles. The effort to invest Luther with deific healing powers feels like a desperate, cynical ploy for sympathy.

This quote is cut and pasted directly from the review. I don't think I've ever seen a review use the word "irritating", and his cliched phrases "shamelessly overcompensates by wallowing in cheap sentimentatlity" and "Luther's charisma is so powerful it can work Christ-like miracles" show how devoid he is of the basic knowledge of Lutheranism or of journalstic wit. Based on this review, it sounds like it must be a darned good movie.

[egarvue]

My synod (the Missouri Synod) is officially, both in doctrine and in countless theological positions, official papers, and press releases, pro-life. There is no question as to our church's position. I would dare say that most other smaller synods (Wisconsin Synod, WELS, etc.,) are also staunchly pro-life. The largest Lutheran synod, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), is liberal when it comes to theological and social issues, but I am also certain that their position is pro-life on the abortion issue. Only when you go over to Europe, will you probably find some pro-abortion Lutheran churches.

[johniegrad]

B. Ending a Pregnancy

This church recognizes that there can be sound reasons for ending a pregnancy through induced abortion. The following provides guidance for those considering such a decision. We recognize that conscientious decisions need to be made in relation to difficult circumstances that vary greatly. What is determined to be a morally responsible decision in one situation may not be in another.

In reflecting ethically on what should be done in the case of an unintended pregnancy, consideration should be given to the status and condition of the life in the womb. We also need to consider the conditions under which the pregnancy occurred and the implications of the pregnancy for the woman's life.

An abortion is morally responsible in those cases in which continuation of a pregnancy presents a clear threat to the physical life of the woman.

A woman should not be morally obligated to carry the resulting pregnancy to term if the pregnancy occurs when both parties do not participate willingly in sexual intercourse. [E] This is especially true in cases of rape and incest. This can also be the case in some situations in which women are so dominated and oppressed that they have no choice regarding sexual intercourse and little access to contraceptives. Some conceptions occur under dehumanizing conditions that are contrary to God's purposes.

There are circumstances of extreme fetal abnormality, which will result in severe suffering and very early death of an infant. In such cases, after competent medical consultations, the parent(s) may responsibly choose to terminate the pregnancy. Whether they choose to continue or to end such pregnancies, this church supports the parent(s) with compassion, recognizing the struggle involved in the decision.

Although abortion raises significant moral issues at any stage of fetal development, the closer the life in the womb comes to full term the more serious such issues become. [F] When a child can survive outside a womb, it becomes possible for other people, and not only the mother, to nourish and care for the child. This church opposes ending intrauterine life when a fetus is developed enough to live outside a uterus with the aid of reasonable and necessary technology. If a pregnancy needs to be interrupted after this point, every reasonable and necessary effort should be made to support this life, unless there are lethal fetal abnormalities indicating that the prospective newborn will die very soon.

Our biblical and confessional commitments provide the basis for us to continue deliberating together on the moral issues related to these decisions. We have the responsibility to make the best possible decisions in light of the information available to us and our sense of accountability to God, neighbor, and self. In these decisions, we must ultimately rely on the grace of God.