I saw A Man for all Seasons when I was a child and loved More and did not like Cromwell. So I just can't bring myself to read or watch Wolf Hall which I hear is sympathetic to Cromwell.
On rewatching the movie a couple years ago I noticed a brief movement of the camera I had overlooked before. At the beginning of the execution scene, the camera doesn't show us the scaffold right away. The scene instead opens on a flower being pollenated by a bee. It is a peaceful scene, maybe with birdsong in the background. It is unexpected, but it's as if the director is saying this is a new season, of spring, in nature, but also for Sir Thomas.
Thanks for the recommendation as it is the made-for-tv version that is linked to in Professor Esolen's post. I was going to look for the other, but I'll watch this one first.
I fixed the post to link to the theatrical release, because that is what Tony wrote about in his essay. We are interested, too, in seeing the TV version with Charlton Heston.
Barbara, Yikes! That's my mistake. I told Tony that I didn't think we'd find the film available. Then I found this and saw "full movie" and linked it. Now I see that the film we recommended is not available for a free viewing. We have never seen the TV version and would have used a trailer here. I will be fixing this post. Thanks for catching this.
I saw A Man for all Seasons when I was a child and loved More and did not like Cromwell. So I just can't bring myself to read or watch Wolf Hall which I hear is sympathetic to Cromwell.
Many thanks for your review and link to the 1966 movie, a personal favorite and a classic.
It is a favorite here, as well, and indeed a classic film!
On rewatching the movie a couple years ago I noticed a brief movement of the camera I had overlooked before. At the beginning of the execution scene, the camera doesn't show us the scaffold right away. The scene instead opens on a flower being pollenated by a bee. It is a peaceful scene, maybe with birdsong in the background. It is unexpected, but it's as if the director is saying this is a new season, of spring, in nature, but also for Sir Thomas.
What an excellent observation! In great films there are no "throwaways." And this is a great film.
EXCELLENT
AWESOME
OUTSTANDING
I would also recommend the 1988 made-for-tv version staring Charlton Heston (who also directed the film) as well worth watching.
This version follows the original stage play by Robert Bolt more closely and is about 30 minutes longer.
Don Young
Columbus OH
Thank you for cueing us in to the TV version. We had not seen it or even heard of it.
Thanks for the recommendation as it is the made-for-tv version that is linked to in Professor Esolen's post. I was going to look for the other, but I'll watch this one first.
I fixed the post to link to the theatrical release, because that is what Tony wrote about in his essay. We are interested, too, in seeing the TV version with Charlton Heston.
Barbara, Yikes! That's my mistake. I told Tony that I didn't think we'd find the film available. Then I found this and saw "full movie" and linked it. Now I see that the film we recommended is not available for a free viewing. We have never seen the TV version and would have used a trailer here. I will be fixing this post. Thanks for catching this.
Debra, no worries about the post, and you are most welcome! It will be good to watch both versions even if we have to pay for one:)