Perfect cast and a good story

Good story, Not enough for a whole film

It's funny, it's tense, it features two great performances from two actors and the director expertly creates a web of odd tension where you actually don't know what is happening for the majority of the run time.

It is a whirlwind of delight --- attractive actors, stunning couture, spectacular sets and outrageous parties. It's a feast for the eyes. But what really makes this dramedy work is the acting.

A very young Rumpole of the Bailey (Leo McKern) in the first few seconds make me already glad to have finally got round to watching this. The Tudors is a subject close to my heart- never having learned about Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn and the beheadings at school. Years later, when as a primary school teacher, I had the topic for the history curriculum, I was as thrilled as the kids to discover all the rule-changing, brown-nosing and backstabbing they all got up to. To support their learning we took them to London to Shakespeare's Globe Theatre where they got a guided tour then an hour long drama seminar with Shakespearean actors. Following this we spent the rest of the day and all night on a fully accurate replica of Sir Francis Drake's ship, The Golden Hinde.The captain, cabin boy and barber-surgeon joined us for tales of horrific injuries, grotesque medical treatments and just how many things onboard (and off) could kill you. The huge, thick oak beams that ran across the ship, supporting the upper decking were so incredibly solid that the captain issued a to-the-point-like-a-bullet warning,"Listen ye scurvy dogs and listen well, these thick wooden beams are what? You there! The disgusting one. What are these beams? "Very hard." "Indeed they are very hard. So hard in fact that if you, when going up or down deck, bang your head not only will you really know about it, but I and the rest of the crew will laugh at what an idiot you are to have forgotten the most basic rule: don't smash you own brains in. Yes! Laugh. I promise you, the first '*bump.... waaaah!' I hear I will be laughing like a drunken pirate." It took about 7 minutes before the inevitable, "*bump.....Waaaahhhh!".It took the captain and crew no longer than the "... Wa" part of the unfortunate child's pained eruption to begin laughing uproariously, as if the actors under the costume were genuinely enjoying the embarrassment and pain (these things wouldn't have moved for Thanos with full gauntlet) of an 11 year old girl.I did wonder a little at this attitude from people paid to edutain children. There was nothing inappropriate happening from a Child Protection sort of way, nothing at all like that. I just wondered why they made such a show of laughing at the poor sod with a Tom & Jerry-esque purple bump and poorly concealed tears. The next morning (after "sleeping" on deck with 45 over excited kids, many of whom had never stayed away from home before), I asked one of the actors about the brain damage hilarity.His explanation made me think;"These decks are very low. They're only about 3 1/2 feet high, even the shortest of the kids that come here are taller than that. Someone is going to bang their head. It is inevitable. It always, always, always happens. We've spent years trying to find the best way to stop the kids getting hurt (they aren't child-haters after all!) but it's so difficult. No matter how many times you tell them to bend down a lot when crawling, crablike along the tiny gundeck, and no matter how many times they groan "Yeah, Yeah, we get it." - someone always forgets and we have "*bump ... Waaaahhh!!". This technique we use now sees the humiliation of being laughed at, act as more of an important and immediate deterrent than smashing your head in. Kids eh?" So you can see why I'm fond of the period and the politics. Years later I read the Shardlake series of novels by C J Sansom based on a hunchback lawyer loving and working in and around the court of Henry VIII.So to say that I'm looking forward to how Richard Rich is portrayed (by a very young looking John Hurt) as well as all the other plotting, greedy, ambitious characters, is something of an understatement. It's actually pretty slow going for the first half bit things begin to pick up steak once we hit the final third, with Cromwell's devious scheme to shaft Thomas Moore over his opinions dangerously contradicting the omnipotent monarch Henry. However once Thomas starts digging his heels in and responding to every brainwashed, sycophantic jibe from Cromwell, Norfolk and the Cardinal with smarmy comebacks that are guaranteed to get under the skin of your interrogators, I rapidly lost sympathy for him. It's all well and good having the courage of your convictions but pick your battles eh? 'Red or white wine? Never! I'll die before I drink the red!' When it comes down to you (and possibly your family) losing a significant body part, hanging or even burning at the stake - don't be a dick. Sign the form. Just do it with your fingers crossed - your God will know you don't really mean it so it'll be fine.

England, 1520s. King Henry VIII is in power and wants to marry Anne Boleyn. His current wife, Catherine of Aragon, seems unable to bear him a son and heir and he's besotted with Ann Boleyn. He wants to divorce Catherine but, other than the Pope, the main impediment is Sir Thomas More, a pre-eminent legal authority and devout Christian. More is eventually made Lord Chancellor, one of the highest positions in government. He resigns this position out of protest against the King's plans to go ahead with the divorce. Surely, now that he is out of government and out of the limelight, as long as he doesn't air his views, his principles aren't a threat to the King's plans and he is safe from prosecution?Directed by Fred Zinneman (High Noon, From Here to Eternity, The Search) a wonderfully lavish production. A noble sentiment too - a man willing to stand by his principles no matter what the cost.However, the film moves along at a snail's pace, has excess dialogue and ultimately feels quite padded. Also doesn't help if you know history (and/or, like me, have seen The Tudors) and know how everything will end up.There are moments of relief among the verbosity. Any time More is in an argument on points of law, his sharpness of mind, knowledge of law and expert use of the English language shine through - his wordplay is something to behold.Won the Best Picture Oscar in 1967.

Paul Scofield is Sir Thomas More in this historical picture concerning Henry VIII's future marriage to Anne Boleyn. But he's still married to Catherine of Aragon, who can not give him an heir. So of course Henry wants the Pope to annul his marriage to Catherine, so he can marry Anne. Sir Thomas More was a Lord High Chancellor and a counselor to His Majesty, but he does not condone this action. "A Man for All Seasons" is very special movie to me, as it symbolizes not only doing the right thing, but staying true to one's self, and it's a very modest and humble film. Scofield brings these qualities and more to his character. Living simply and true. Using what God has given you to the best of your abilities. Pleasing and serving God over man. Scofield embodies sense and sensibility in portraying this statesman with firm resolve. His quiet non-statement of the King's demands is not taken well and is taken to criticize the King, because those who know him knows what he stands for and that his not saying anything speaks volumes - even though he says he's trying to stay out of it. Scofield deservedly won an Oscar for this role, and the movie also is breathtakingly beautiful with its stark and simple cinematography. Miss this film and you miss not only a film essential - but a history lesson and a lesson in living.

A Man for All Seasons was an absolute joy of a film for me! There was nothing extraordinary about the film before I had seen it; I'm not sure if I had ever even given it a thought before I put it on the list of Best Picture winners I had not yet seen. The 1966 Best picture winner directed by Fred Zinnemann, starring Paul Scofield and Robert Shaw was an absolute treasure. Making 16th century England come to life, A Man for All Seasons was worthy of ever award the Academy awarded the 1966 film.A Man for All Seasons tells the story of King Henry VIII's (Robert Shaw) desire to divorce his first wife Catherine of Aragon. King Henry had already received an indulgence to marry Catherine. As the widow of his brother, the king was forbidden to marry her without special permission from the Pope. After receiving the dispensation, King Henry VIII wed Catherine, but she could not bear a child. With no heir to the throne, the King and the rest of royal England was becoming nervous. The King had been having an open secret of an affair with Anne Boleyn and wished to marry her, believing she would bear him an heir. The King went to Sir Thomas More (Paul Scofield), a devout Catholic who was soon to be named Chancellor. Despite all of the attempts by King Henry and his henchmen, More remains silent in his opposition to the divorce. Thomas More is a noble man who clings to his principles and the law and refuses any of them to be broken. Only willing to accept More's public endorsement, King Henry rigs a trial accusing Thomas of accepting a bribe. Under the promise of advancement, a former friend of Thomas's, Sir Richard Rich (John Hurt) perjures himself in court, leading to grave problems for Thomas.Paul Scofield turns in an incredible performance as Sir Thomas More. He subtly commands each scene he is in. When giving his powerful speech about the law, there is a wonderful close-up on Scofield who is exceptionally delivering the words. He played his noble character so well, the audience couldn't help but love him. Robert Shaw also plays the role of the unconventional King Henry VIII very well. King Henry VIII is so full of zany idiosyncrasies that embodying that character was surely a full-time job. Ted Moore was more than worthy of taking home the gold statuette for cinematography. The film was full of wonderful cinematography that got better and better as it progressed. The film opened with gorgeous shots, culminating with a glorious shot of sun behind the clouds. Another phenomenal aspect of the film was the incredible costuming. Elizabeth Haffenden and Joan Bridge won Oscar's top prize for costuming for the 1966 show. This award was more than deserved, as the period descript costumes throughout the film were exquisite. The film did not disappoint in at all, and holds up nicely despite aging 50 years.I would recommend this film to any fans of historical films as A Man for All Seasons brings to life regal England with ease. I would also recommend this film to any fans of Paul Scofield. I don't believe I have ever seen any films starring Paul Scofield, but after watching A Man for All Seasons, I plan on adjusting that. A Man for All Seasons proved to be quite a hidden treasure, one I will soon be adding to my home library!