Genres

Visitors Review

2012-05-18 03:55:03

Luther DVD

This DVD about Luther and his views which caused a break with Roman Catholicism although Luther himself wanted reform instead of a split is absolutely excellent. True to historical accounts, great DVD!

2012-05-17 11:19:49

reasoned faith

Well acted and entertaining, this movie would be a good watch if it were total fiction. However very much of it is fact. A great look at a man who refused to follow the status quo of the established church and turned to the teachings of Christ and the bible to base his faith and life on. Both entertaining and thought provoking.

2012-05-17 01:31:29

Excellent Historically

A well presented (and acted) view of the issues at hand at the time of Luther with his discovery and stand for faith for justification versus indulgences and works of the law

2012-05-16 06:48:04

A testimony of a life of faith.

I watched this movie several times and enjoyed it very much. It reveals how much God can use someone who stands up in faith and dares to challenge our false images so that people may depend fully on God. No matter what church you belong to--this movie goes right to the heart of the gospel.

trimmerrw 2012-05-13 18:18:32

Luther film (2003) was great and accurate

Although a scientist I enjoy history. The short 2 hour story of Lutherwas great and very factual on what it covered. Some may thing it a bitbias against the Roman Church but in fact corruption was widespread andeven adversely impacted their theology. In my wife's country of Brasil,it is said the genes of priests are not lost to the country. A friendat my university told me, that where he was raised in Chicago, thepriest wound terrify his widowed mother saying that if she did not payfor more masses to get his father out of purgatory, her husband wouldsuffer many more years of torment. This aspect was brought out in thefilm. After seeing the rented DVD we went out the next day andpurchased 4 copies for friends and relatives. The film reminded me ofthe classic book on Dr. Luther by Prof. Roland Bainton.

2012-05-13 11:29:43

Incredible

I avoided this movie when it was in the theaters. Finally a friend rented it and I reluctantly watched it. I was so moved and captivated by it I bought it!

2012-05-09 23:59:34

Compelling Story, Brilliant Performance

This review is from: Luther (DVD) This movie is compelling and fairly accurate with some literary allowances to compress years of disputations and writings into two hours. Joseph Fiennes is absolutely brilliant! Very well cast, exceptional performances by all.

Antonio Escarzaga 2012-05-09 13:10:59

What a great view of history

I thought this movie was great. Fiennes did a great job as Luther, but Sir Peter Ustinov really stole the whole movie. He was excellent! I thought the way they showed Luther's inner-disputes between wanting to reform the Catholic church and finally deciding that it was not going to happen was very well pulled off. For those who claim that this is uninhibited Catholic bashing, I didn't see it. There was definately views of good Catholics who helped Luther and even agreed with his suggestions/theological point of view. I thought it was fairly balanced with a view at the reality of history. A definate must see if you like history, especially religious history.

2012-05-09 19:17:57

Hope better, next time

As a Protestant Christian, I went to see "Luther" hoping to see an historic and heroic story. There were some good moments of drama, but contrary to popular opinion here, I must agree with much of the perceptive review by Jesuit Edward Oakes, who wrote the movie review in the January 2004 issue of First Things (you can read it online), in which he states that the movie makers mostly miss the point.The point being that the most significant issue for Martin Luther was salvation of the soul - justification by faith in Christ alone. The provocative issues between Catholic and Evangelical (the broader Evangelical movement known as Protestantism and Evangelische Kirche is the German name for the Lutheran Church) are "airbrushed" and meaningfully obfuscated - this is the true divide between Catholic and Protestant and is central to Luther's drama. He is one of the most important people in world history! The movie tries to pull a modern doubting rebel tone on Luther's character, which was not him. He was socially quite conservative and quite earnest to reform the Catholic Church. While politics did merge with religion, it was in a cultural way that we, today, have mostly lost an understanding of in its Medieval context (aside from all the bad stuff). The failure of tone is shown at the Diet of Worms scene where the conflict "comes across not as a theological dispute but more like the grilling of a Hollywood director before the House Un-American Activities Committee in the postwar era," quoting Oakes. Also confused is the Peasants Rebellion with the Iconoclasic reaction to idols. Cumulatively, this movie fails historically where it's important.I have to say similar for the character of Luther here, as well. Luther was a strong minded individual, though at times full of self doubt, but not of the perpetual doubt that Joseph Fiennes portrays. Also, Luther's demonic possession is contrary to Luther's testimony, though he did claim fighting the devil but not in himself. The main character's doubting without clear resolution is the failure of the heroic in the film.Please note Fiennes and this cast are a collection of fine actors. Where the movie succeeds is in the existential tone of scenery. Though German post-modern nihilism creeps in on occasion (e.g. the Peasant Rebellion massacre is similar to the end of Das Boot in tone). Many of the characters are quite different from the 1953 Martin Luther, which I prefer, but is more of a stage drama. In particular, Niall MacGinnis' Luther is much more comprehensible; Claire Cox' Katherina von Bora is more of a contemporary persona; Bruno Ganz' Johann von Staupitz is more humane than the earlier version; Georg Spalatin, who was Luther's good friend in the older version is a distant observer in this one (though this may have been the beginning of the true story? - St. Paul was actually an oppressor of the early Christian Church before converting); and most comically Peter Ustinov's Frederick the Wise, who is portrayed more as a grasping eccentric. Where the movie reveals the best of Lutheran doctrine is that life and the world are a messy place divided from God and that even Christians are needy of transcendent redemption. The warts and all approach is a good way to view humanity, especially in film and literature.Some standout performances were added by Marco Hofschneider, who portrays the heroic Ulrich and, Jochen Horst, whose Professor Andreas Karlstadt is much better than the older version (I wish they showed more development of both characters).In agreement with Andrew Freborg's review is the terrible omission of Luther's musical side, especially "Ein Feste Burg (A Mighty Fortress)." While there were great moments of drama, in the end, this finally sank it for me as a film (this hymn is played at the end of the MacGinnis version with dramatic transformation). They had a great collection of actors and could have woven an excelling performance. I hope better, next time.

2012-05-09 02:47:01

Complete revamp of a monster

I first rented this movie, & was deeply touched by it. The continuity was excellent, Ustinov & Fiennes were excellent, all in all worthy of a 5 star in most circumstances.Why then, only 2 stars? After viewing the film, I actually looked up information on Luthor, & he was NOWHERE near the saint he was portrayed as in the film. He was an advocate of Anti-semitism, to the extreme where he wrote that the Jews should be burned in their synagogues, homes, & anywhere else they were to be found. Luthor also condoned the slaughter of 100,000 peasants, & proclaimed logic to be the 'Devil's Whore'. There are scenes in the movie where ML is agonizing over the violence, & one scene where ML stops a mob from destroying a church, & rebukes an ardent follower. None of this jibes w/history and the TRUTH: Martin Luthor was a religious fanatic, & little better than a monster, not the saint this movie makes him out to be. The only reason I gave it any stars at all, was the excellent production values, actors, dialogue, & script. Otherwise, this is pure Hollyweird Revisionism, pure & simple

2012-05-05 16:33:21

Luther

Great movie. Excellent acting and directing. The story line was excellent and I really enjoyed the movie

rowmorg 2012-05-05 15:52:02

Religious propaganda in a well-done historical setting

I can't think of any other general release picture where the openingcredits for financing went to a religious group, Thrivent Financial forLutherans. It's a warning that we are not about to see an objectiveportrait of the anti-semitic, drunken, religious and nationalisticrebel who caused hundreds of years of slaughter and mayhem that stillgoes on today. The makers have the temerity to claim that their hero'sefforts opened up "religious freedom" in Europe, using a term that is ablatant oxymoron. Near my home town of Brighton is the ancientsettlement of Lewes, where they still keenly burn a Catholic in effigyevery November 5th. On the wall of a church on the high street used tobe a plaque commemorating the burning at the stake of a number ofprotestant martyrs. I gazed at this in horror as a child, unable toconceive such horrid cruelty and fanaticism among my own people.Significantly, the plaque has now been removed. But the religioushatred prevails, now directed towards the Islamists by Zionistfanatics, but in Northern Ireland it is still Prods and Papists whoirrationally hate each other, while all over the developing world,Catholic and Protestant missionaries compete damagingly, both movementsactively retarding the fight against AIDS by their quintessentiallyChristian prurience. It all seems to me futile. To see how shallow thisfilm's depiction of Luther is, it's worth reading the real stuff atthis URL: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/09438b.htm

ma-cortes 2012-04-29 17:29:27

Luther biography based exactly on true events

The film is a biopic concerning about the Agustinian monk(1483-1546)Martin Luther(Joseph Fiennes).His life and the famous deeds from howwas orchestrated the Protestant Reform are the following: He becomes agood priest and is going to Rome.There he buys indulgences for hisgrandfather,but he sees the reality, a corrupt Rome with the sellingthe indulgences to finance the basilica of San Pedro by Leo X andpreviously begun by Clemente VII and Julio II .He returns to Germanywhere his preceptor(Bruno Ganz) sends him to Wittemberg to doctoratehimself in theology studies.There preaches John Tetzel(Alfred Molina) adreadful inquisitor.But his point of view about the Catholic churchhave changed and he rebels himself and nails the 95 Thesis on the doorof the castle.He rejected the Papal authority,the Saints cult, thecelibacy and to say mass.Luther along with Melanchton(Rudolph) startsthe Protestant Reform.The printing press has been recently invented byGuttemberg and the Luther's ideas are quickly printed and are spreadeverywhere as the written books called ¨The captivity of Babilony,Thefreedom of Christian and the Confession of Ausburg(1530)¨.Pope LeoX(Uwe Ochsenknecht) threats to Luther of ex-communion but he refuses torecant.He finally gets the ex-communion by papal Bulla ¨Exsurge Domine¨but he fires it in the public square of Wittemberg.He is appointed inWorms(1521) with the presence of the emperor Charles V(Liebrech)but hedoesn't regret .Prince Frederick of Xaxony(Peter Ustinov) keeps him inhis castle of Wartburgo.There Martin translates the Bible into Germanlanguage for the people understands the New Testament.The common peoplefollows the Martin's lectures and accuses to the Church of theirpenury,burning churches and palaces.Meanwhile he knows a a ex-nun namedKatherina Von Bora(Claire Cox) and marries her. The emperor summons allthe German princes for confronting the Luthero's doctrine.The princesencourage facing to emperor,they stand up against Charles V. TheLuther's thesis have won in spite of the princes were defeated inMulberg(1547) and they signed the treatise of Ausburg. In the filmappear famous historic personages who are well performed by asensational plethora of British and German actors as RalphFiennes(Shakespeare in love),Bruno Ganz(Hitler in The Downfall),AlfredMolina(Diego Rivera in Frida) and in his last film,PeterUstinov(recently deceased ,he's the immortal Nero in Quo Vadis)Themotion picture gets a colorful cinematography by Robert Frasse,anatmospheric music by Richad Harvey and is rightly directed by EricTill.Devotees of the history will love this movie which is a finetribute to Martin Luther.

MommyoAndretti 2012-04-29 02:28:59

Hands down, this is the best treatment of a "saint" ever.

Just saw this and was totally impressed.This is the first film I've ever seen on a "saint" who didn't act likeSuperman.Joseph Finnes gives us a real human being caught up in something muchlarger than himself. He shows fear and trembling at every turn.Forget Charleton Heston leading the troops out of Egypt with fire inhis eyes. Luther is as scared as you or I would be. He is a man backedinto a corner, forced to take a stand and face death, or relent andface God. Not a fun choice to have to make. But a very realistictreatment.

2012-04-27 17:57:40

Outstanding Movie

This review is from: Luther (DVD) This movie about one of the greatest men in the history of Christianity will bring tears to your eyes as you go through the journey of a monk made a hero of and for the faith in Jesus Christ. For the most part and for the limited knowledge I have on Martin Luther, this movie seems to be right on when it comes its historical accuracy. I am planning to watch it again and again.

2012-04-27 08:46:01

Entertaining

This review is from: Luther (DVD) Not history but a great factually-based overview of Luther and his life. They didn't pick an actor that looked like the pictures of Luther that I have seen but close enough for government work. This was an entertaining film. I'd recommend it since it didn't have profuse foul language and sex found in so many films today.

Michael Booth 2012-04-24 16:31:27

A few too many amateurish techniques and oversimplified confrontations hold Luther back a notch or two from greatness, and stamp it instead as entertaining Lutheran cheerleading.

2012-04-24 12:27:28

A Serendipidous Rarity

At a time when movies are the prevelant art form, and when christians are making so few really worthy movies, this is certainly a welcome film. No sappy, feel-good religeous movie is this, but a serious look at the life of someone who was sincere in his faith and whole-hearted in his conviction to make changes that he believed to be in the will of God. Too many christian movies are so cheesy that even christians have a hard time sitting through them without squirming, but this is not one. Joseph Fiennes breathes a life into these wonderful sermons that makes one see them as if they are new. Watch it, make your friends watch it, if we can support movies like this there will be more made.

2012-04-20 22:54:10

Luther's Life a masterpiece

The movie was well done, especially for a low-budget production. The scenes ran a bit long and slow, but the story seemed true to the historical storyline of Martin Luther's lifetime. I teach Bible classes for my church and church school and both groups have enjoyed the movie.

2012-04-20 09:31:57

Surprisingly Faithful Account

Wow, here's an oddity: a modern-day film faithful to theological history, an uncompromising biography of Martin Luther.Knowing the film world, I doubt this film was made to glorify God. It probably was made more to make the Roman Catholic church look bad, or to glorify a rebel and a man of the people: "the peoples' liberation" as the back cover of the DVD states.Whateverthe motive, it stays true to history and it's nice to see that for a change. To those unfamiliar with Luther, he was the founder of the Protestant denomination. Luther was a monk who saw and heard things he thought were unscriptural and broke off from the Catholic Church in "protest." Hence, the "Protestant" church was formed.Anyway, not only was the story done well, so was the cinematography. This is one gorgeous movie to ogle, well-filmed with high production values. The scenery, sets and costumes are all first-rate.Joseph Fiennes (Luther) is a bit wimpy-looking but his character certainly isn't. As the subject of indulgences and other practices begin to transform Luther's ideas of what Jesus' church should be, the story grows in intensity as Luther gets pressured by the Catholic hierarchy as his protest issues become public.What happens to him and to the masses because of his actions are revealed in pretty dramatic form. Obviously the story is far more complex than two hours can give it but the filmmakers did a pretty good job condensing it to make the time constriction.Notes: This was Peter Ustinov's last movie. On the DVD, being that is was a fairly expensive one, I am surprised there were no "extras." In all, however, a solid film but it will definitely offend Roman Catholics.