scriptures into "common" German. If you have any opportunity to view this big-budget Independent film, take it.From a purely historical standpoint, the film offers a shocking glimpse into power and politics, as Cardinals attempt to bend and wrestle princes and monarchs to their side. It's a shame, but this film will probably not be recognized at the Oscars due to its strong religious tone. Therefore allow it to be said that the center core of actors all deserve Oscars for their performances, particularly Fiennes, Firth, and Ustinov. It was a pleasure to see Fiennes conform to an astonishingly strong, charismatic man who is not faultless, but instead human. The costuming, visual effects, and writing are all fantastic. The dialogue is unusually rich, spattered with direct quotes from Luther's literary works.The best thing about "Luther" is the quality of the filmmaking. A lot of money was poured into this production, leaving Christian films like Megiddo and Left Behind in the dust. Not only will this receive greater recognition as a "serious" movie, it will also attract larger audiences due to the quality, budget, massive locations, and cast list. Secular audiences will get an open story of salvation. Christian audiences will have the pleasure of finally having a hero to root for in the cinema, a man who stands up for his faith against all odds.

audience both admire and feel pity for him throughout the film the sticklers to realism just have to forgive the fact that Fiennes and Luther do not look very much alike . All the supporting roles were well done as well, especially Peter Ustinov as Prince Friedrich and Uwe Ochsenknecht say that name three times fast! as Pope Leo.Personally as a Lutheran, I was very pleased to see the movie focus mainly on Luther's scriptural interpretations and 95 Theses rather than solely on the secular politics of the time. Thankfully, the creators of "Luther" do not tip-toe around including and expressing Christian messages as to "not offend" non-Christian viewers. If anything, all the direct references to the Bible and doctrine may win people over by showing just how much Martin Luther was a model of Christianity through his love of God and strict belief in only the scriptures and not unjust rules of men . All that he used to battle the ridiculous man made ordinances and general corruption of the 16th century Catholic Church.The only things I can really pick apart in "Luther" is the ending - I just wish the ending was slightly more rounded than it is, it seemed that things were sped up in the last 1/4 of the film and then it kind of ended abruptly. Nonetheless, the ending was still very emotional and made me want to stand up and applaud. I highly recommend this film to those wishing to learn more about Luther, the Reformation, or even just basic Christianity. But keep in mind, at times this film is violent. But the violence is used sparingly and only to drive home some important points in the film such as Luther's despair over feeling responsible for so many gruesome deaths . All in all, this is a very emotional film which works on so many levels and it was a great pleasure to watch.

regarded as fictional by most careful scholars of Luther! But the legend is so ingrained that I am glad it was presented. If you have any interest in the foundations of the schism with Catholicism you must see this film.

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.

experience. And the Regal theatre that showed it had the lights on during the movie. Do these projectionists ever check the theatres?

some possibilities that arn't quite logical. And in one of the very quaint interviews, they admit this. At least the cast does. But overlooking those faults, it's an emotional film. Haven't seen such a powerful film in a long time. And of late it's been rather short. I consider myself Wisconsin Lutheran WELS unfortunately for me, I've been stuck in Iowa for the past 4 yrs. So unless I bumped into an ELS 4 -5 miles away. I haven't been to church since. I have been considering on looking up a Missouri Synod church. I was Confirmed in one.The DVD could have been better though, and I have a suspicion that there's some scene's lying on the cutting room floor somewhere. 9/10Quality: 9/10 Entertainment: 10/10 Replayable: 10/10

free their sins to build Saint Peter's Church and would be therefore released from Purgatory and enter the Heaven… Luther was eventually branded a heretic, his books examined and burned, and anyone who presumes to infringe Pope Leo's excommunication will stand under the wrath of Almighty God and the Apostles Peter and Paul… The reaction of the peasants in Germany was against the reaction of the Inquisition who was burning his writings…For the German people "you can't burn his ideas." For the Church, his works shall be erased from the memory of man! Luther's criticism was not against his Holiness, Pope Leo X, but of those rogues who claim to represent him… His goal was not to quarrel with the Pope or the Church but to defend them than mere opinion! The Gospel, as he affirmed, cannot be denied for the word of man! As a loyal son of the Church, Luther finds sanctuary with Prince Frederick, who finds him too daring for him but decides not to surrender him to Rome… Luther goes on to produce his first translation of the New Testament Bible into German language… He marries the ex-nun, Katerina Von Borg, becomes a hero to the people and in spite of his outlaw status with the Church authorities, his followers ultimately break with Rome… Joseph Fiennes played intensely the intriguing story of a brilliant Augustinian monk with an independent mind who is not interested in comfort but in the truth! Sir Peter Ustinov—in his final role—realizes the danger Luther poses to the Catholic Church… Alfred Molina as Brother John Tetzel, is the showman terrorizing the good people of Jüterbog into purchasing special indulgences letting everyone know the fires of hell awaiting those who did not contribute… Johann Von Staupitz is the spiritual counselor who knows that Martin has aptitude for law, and could be send to Rome for a legal brief… Claire Cox is Luther's beautiful wife who stood behind her young 16th century monk driven by courage and outrage against a powerful Medieval Church…

minds, especially when it involves risk and the honor to stand up for what they believe. Too few movies like this."We can forgive a child who is afraid of the dark, but the real tragedy, is when men are afraid of the light." --Plato

not too happy about how things turned out. The movie mentions in about one half-sentence that Luther *is* responsible for it but leaves out any details. OK - here we go: Luther *despised* the peasants and their revolt because he thought that they were rising above their station, disrupting God's natural order. Let's add a few quotes to show you how this "kind" and "loving" Christian expressed his qualities unfortunately IMDb's spelling engine is preventing me from inserting the original, German, quotes :About the revolting peasants: "to throttle, put to the sword, secretly ! and openly, whoever can, like you have to kill a rabid dog."Not too much remorse there .... the "have to" part is really disturbing, it sort of hints at this being the *only* way to deal with the peasants.Things left out:About Jews: "worse than a pig" "Such a desperate, through-and-through evil, through-and-through poisonous and through-and-through devilish thing it is with Jews, they' ve been our plague and pestilence for 1400 years as well as all misfortune and they still are. Short: We have real devils with them."In addition to that he demands the death penalty for people who visit Jewish religious services sounds familiar, doesn't it? . Luther's also dead bang for witch burning, supports wars as long as they're for a good cause . Summa: He's highly prejudiced, rabid anti-Jewish and a complete failure with regard to social reform because he sides with the nobility and has the peasants mass murdered.The biggest lie is probably in the ending credits at least in the German ones which claim that with Luther "religious freedom" was started - um, only if you're talking about Christian religion ... if you were a Jew, Muslim or a member of any other non-Christian religion this "freedom" more often than not came as a merry bonfire and a stake to you ....So, excellent movie but highly idolized and thus dangerous because people tend to watch a movie and believe what's said there, rather than pick up a couple of books and start checking sources and compare historic evidence to celluloid fantasy.