Cinema
A Man for All Seasons
Fred Zinnemann · 1966
Synopsis
Cardinal Wolsey summons Thomas More to Hampton Court by night. He reproaches him for being the only member of the council to oppose his approaches to the Pope, while the king wants a male heir, and asks him what he intends to do; More answers that he will not help him. Having returned by river to Chelsea, he finds Richard Rich waiting to ask him for a place at court, and advises him to teach instead. At his house, a young man, Roper, is courting his daughter Meg.
Context
The studio did not believe in the project: a costume piece, little action, no love story, no stars known to the American public. The budget was tight, under two million dollars. Paul Scofield had created the role in London and then played it in New York; the producers wanted a star, Richard Burton refused, Laurence Olivier was considered, and the director insisted on Scofield. Vanessa Redgrave agreed to go unpaid for a brief appearance. Plastic foam had been ordered to represent snow; real snow fell the night before.
Who it is for
Two hours, in English with subtitles or in a French version. The story covers More's last years, and almost all of it is carried by dialogue.
Prizes and reception
Six Oscars, including best picture, for a project the studio thought had no future; that year it beat Alfie.
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