A Man for all Seasons - Clip 2 of 3

[BrianPicchi]

More was such a dick. He sacrificed his life, his family's life, all so he can die honest. I would lie for my family.

[lavista2013]

@BrianPicchi, dont lie for your family that's bad

[futurstar96]

I had to do this play as a final drama presentation, i was the king, and i get the sense that he is troubled and depressed, and therefore has mood swings

[jheathish]

Fantastic scene! Just a superb actor Robert Shaw! He has been gone too long!

[dajohnthomas69]

Thomas More was an indefatigable careermaker and golddigger, who sailed with all winds in the course of selfpromotion and imcomparable vanity

[ligreekguy]

Sorry, Henry, but Catherine was your lawful wife and Queen. The only other lawful wives were Jane Seymour (Catherine was dead when Henry married her) and Anne of Cleves (Jane was dead when Henry married her). It must be nice to make up a religion that suits your own sexual desires.

[Sampiro]

More was an "asshole" in other ways as well. Before ever becoming chancellor he tortured Protestants and burned them at the stake, something neither Wolsey nor Fisher ever did unless for treason or plotting against the king. What he suffered was no worse than what he had inflicted on others for their conscience, and in fact beheading is easier than torture or being burned to death (which is one of the most painful ways to go).

[wavertree558]

The abilty to hold true to ones convictions even unto death is one that must be admired. While it's true he inforced Henry's laws against Lutherans at the time, know that they were equal or even greater in their intolerance. Luthers anti-semetic views are notorious. Further, More was highly respected by European humanists of the time. his close friend, Erasmus, noted More for his great humor and affability. A brilliant scholar, the term 'asshole' shouldn't come up in any serious discussion.

[pedrohqb]

@Sampiro He never did that. He kept them in his house, as prisioners. Never burned no one. And remember: the protestants were conspirators, and protestantism, very useful for political reasons (what is MAINLY what kept it in the world, otherwise it would be easily destroyed, since it is intellectually flawed and poor).

[TroyaE117]

tub :

You'd be great in a crisis.

[tub99899]

I always thought thomas more was an asshole. he basically ruined his family's life with his execution just so that he could have a perfectly clear conscience. back in his time, a family couldn't survive without the man of the family (as you see later in the film). He needed to get his priorities straight and succumb to Henry

[ajacqx]

@tub99899

I don't even begin to claim to know the full case-history of the matter, but with reference to the film as you do... More explains quite well that his core beliefs forbade him from taking the oath. Once you step outside yourself so completely, you're lost. What good are you then to anyone... let alone your family. Besides the son-in-law, Will Roper was a young lawyer.... he should have been counted on to be resourceful. One would think so, anyway.

[tub99899]

@ajacqx Interesting point. Perhaps I should be just criticizing the film instead of insulting poor olde Sir Thomas

[joiesauvage]

possibly the best movie, ever

[xcalabur19]

Robert Shaw's portrayal of Henry 8 is exactly how I imagine him to have been in reality. Arrogant, rude and pragmatic, eccentric, Shaw captures it all. Coupled with the unbelievably incredible performace from Scofield, and the overall message of the film, this is easily one of the best ever, in my opinion.

[mgayford]

@xcalabur19

I couldn't agree more. Perhaps the best portrayal of Henry VIII I've ever seen.

[spasjt]

Actually people did wear those kinds of clothes in those days.

Ridiculous looking of course but back then nobility was only concerned with looking as extravagant as possible.

Awesome movie about the human minds capability and intellect.

[constansavictrix]

Pink...lilac...lavender...will­ow green ??? chiffon and silk and velvet ? NO !...male aristocrats in those times DID NOT dress in those fabrics and esp in those colours in the country - or anywhere else. The King wore cloth of gold and velvet at Court or for portraits - but not in the country. The people in charge of costume did not study the fabrics and dying processes, this spoils otherwise good dialogue and acting.

[beepandbop]

It was made in the '60's, you can't blame them for that.

[constansavictrix]

beepandbop...ok, I'll cut them some slack, it's only a film...

[beepandbop]

heh, I appreciate the comments though, I was not aware of the inaccuracies. I'm sure they existed, but keep in mind the style of cintemetography in this era.

Costumes and armor were stylized representations, and clothes were worn in an almost Hellenic fashion to denote which character was which and what his personality and character might be.

[constansavictrix]

...yes, I understand now that you've explained how film ( and early stage ?)costumes were stylized representations, so that the audiences could easily distinguish characters...well, thank you, I learn something every day !

[Kenta19191919]

Our means were very limited in those days and there are often some mix ups between what is available today and what was available then. BBC often does good reflection on historical facts but not this one perhaps.

[RJY4356]

Amazing scene, how fast the King changes moods and tries different tactics, alternately flattering More then bullying him.

[partschmidt]

Couldn't agree MORE :-)

[RJY4356]

hahahAa..nice!. I analyzed this scene in a graduate class last night, everyone thought it was remarkable, watching this pyscho King and how calm More is just sitting thee watching him rant and rave. I thought it was More's background when he spent 4 years in a monastery praying and fasting.

[partschmidt]

Surely monastic discipline may do wonders for a man's selfcontrol. But that man could, despite his deep piety, be a perfectly sociable and adaptable individual, a true "man for all seasons", as far as his conscience would allow. He got murdered because the tyrant wasn't content with being his sovereign, he wanted to be his conscience as well.

[pedrohqb]

@partschmidt "I have no conscience, Adolf Hitler is my conscience" Hermann Göring

[beepandbop]

I almost felt sorry for Henry though. The man saw court intrigues, and he certainly heard of the Wars of the Roses from his father. To not have a direct heir would produce horrors unthinkable to the country reminiscent of the Wars of the Roses.

Henry can hardly be blamed for his psychotic character in his desperation.

[KnightOwl2006]

@RJY4356 I agree. An amazing performance by Robert Shaw.

[CILDAD]

Send them back without me. I'll stay here in chealsea and make music.

[partschmidt]

I wish he had :-)