A Man for All Seasons (2006, 120 minutes)
Director: Fred Zinneman, Cast: Paul Scofield, Robert Shaw, Wendy Hiller, Leo McKern, Orson Welles, Susannah York.
This highly acclaimed movie, based on Robert Bolt’s play of the same title, won several Oscars. It dramatizes the momentous events leading to the martyrdom of St Thomas More (1529-1535). More, a scholar, loving family man, friend of King Henry VIII and Chancellor of England, chose to lose everything rather than betray his conscience.
King Henry, wanted to divorce his wife and marry his maid, Anny Boleyn. When the Pope would not give permission, Henry declared himself head of the Church in England. Anyone who would not swear an oath accepting Henry as head of the Church would be accused of treason.
The movie deals with palace intrigue, the role of Cardinal Wolsey, who was Chancellor before More, and his protégé, Cromwell.
More was condemned on false charges, and despite the protests of the people, who loved this good and honest man, condemned to death by beheading. Before his executioner, More forgave his executioner. His last words were, “I die His Majesty’s good servant, but God’s first.”
Some consider this film one of the greatest movies of all time.
The Two Popes (2019, 126 minutes)
Director: Fernando Meirelles. Cast: Anthony Hopkins, Jonathan Pryce, Juan Minujin, Sidney Cole.
The screen adaptation of Anthony McCarten’s The Pope, has been among the most celebrated movies recently. It tells the story of two of the contemporary world’s most famous Popes still living with heartwarming honesty, humour, humanity and insight. In a series of close interactions and flashbacks into the public and private lives of the two Popes, it demystifies the mystical aura around the papacy and gives a glimpse into contrasting styles of spiritual leadership as well as personal temperament, presented convincingly by two of the world’s most consummate actors.
It begins with the Argentine Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio seeking out an interview with Pope Benedict soon after Benedict’s rise to papacy to procure permission to retire. Pope Benedict refuses. He questions Bergoglio about some of his views which he considers unorthodox. Both of them have had great trials to go through in their offices. Bergoglio has a history of controversy haunting him as head of the Argentinean Church during the dark decade of totalitarian brutality in his country, despite his heroic efforts to protect the Church against the regime. Benedict on the other has to contend with his failing health as well as the financial and sexual scandals besieging the Church.
The contrasting temperaments and styles of the two men come through clearly—one scholarly and ascetic, the other informal and friendly. Both share love of music and football—and deep commitment to God. Bergoglio speaks of the way the Church has made itself irrelevant to many, concerned about secondary matters, when it should be breaking walls, and facing the larger problems of humankind. “We built walls around us, and all the time, all the time, the real danger was inside. Inside with us.” In the ending sequences we are treated with delightful sequences of the two together watching World Cup football between their home nations and Pope Francis teaching his predecessor a few steps of tango. A brilliant script and superb acting makes this movie a hit.
Prof Gigy Joseph
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