Luther (2003 film)

Infobox_Film
name=Luther


director=Eric Till
writer=Camille Thomasson
Bart Gavigan
starring=Joseph Fiennes
Alfred Molina
Jonathan Firth
Claire Cox
Peter Ustinov
Bruno Ganz
Uwe Ochsenknecht
Mathieu Carrière
Benjamin Sadler
producer=Brigitte Rochow
ppChristian P. Stehr]
Alexander Thies
cinematography= Robert Fraisse
music= Richard Harvey
distributor= MGM
released= October 30, 2003
runtime=124 min.
language=English
imdb_id=0309820

"Luther" is a 2003 biopic about the life of Martin Luther (1483-1546). It was released by MGM and was partially funded by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. It stars Joseph Fiennes and Alfred Molina.

The film covers Luther's life from his becoming a monk (1505) to the Diet of Augsburg (1530).

The film is rated PG-13 for "disturbing images of violence" and mild language.

Plot

The film begins during a thunderstorm as Luther is returning to the farm with lots of cows. For fear of losing his life in the storm, Luther commits his life to God and becomes a monk.

In the next scene it is 1507 and Luther is a monk in Erfurt. During his time at the monastery, he is constantly troubled by viewing God as a God of hate and vengeance. Martin is encouraged by Johann von Staupitz, an older monk who is his supervisor and mentor. Staupitz tells Luther to look to Christ instead of himself.

Later Luther delivers a letter for Staupitz to Rome where he becomes troubled by the wicked lifestyles of those in the city. He also views the skull believed to be that of John the Baptist and purchases an indulgence. It is during this time (in the film at least) that Luther begins to question the veracity of indulgences.

Returning to Germany, Luther begins to teach his congregation that God is not only a God of hate, but also a God of love. Luther begins to emphasise the love of God instead of his judgment.

John Tetzel then comes to Luther's town where he scares the people into buying indulgences. (The proceeds were being used to build St. Peter's Basilica in Rome.) Luther in his church denounces the indulgences, calling them "just a piece of paper." He then posts 95 theses on the door of the church, calling for an open debate regarding the indulgences. For this act, Luther is called to Augsburg where he is questioned by the church officials.

After his excommunication, Pope Leo X orders Luther to be delivered to Rome, but Frederick the Wise of Saxony protects him. Frederick and Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor decide that Luther will be tried at Worms.

After his trial at Worms, Luther is forced into hiding while his former professor, Charlstadt, starts getting the peasants to revolt against the oppressive nobles. Luther, shocked by the revolts, encourages the princes to put down the rebellion. Meanwhile, Luther translates the Bible into German.

After Luther marries Katharina von Bora, Charles V summons the electors of the Holy Roman Empire to Augsburg so he can force them to outlaw Protestantism, the German Bible, etc. The nobles refuse and Charles is forced to allow the nobles to read their confession of faith.

The film ends with the following words:

What happened at Augsburg pushed open the door of religious freedom. Martin Luther lived for another 16 years, preaching and teaching the Word. He and Katharina von Bora enjoyed a happy marriage and six children. Luther's influence extended into economics, politics, education and music, and his translation of the Bible became a foundation stone of the German language. Today over 540 million people worship in churches inspired by his Reformation.

Historical inaccuracies

* In the film, Luther refers to Bible passages by the book, chapter, and verse. However, the Bible was not divided into verses until 1546, and even then the divisions were not ubiquitous until the Geneva Bible. (It can be assumed that this was done in order that discerning viewers might easily locate the text to which Luther refers.)
* Albert of Mainz is described as being archbishop of two German territories before acquiring Mainz. In real life, he was only archbishop of one prior to gaining Mainz, although he was bishop of another German territory while archbishop of his first.
* During the Augsburg Confession scene, all of the nobles, including the elector princes, stood up to Charles V. In real life, most of the princes were still Catholic. Only two of the seven electors should have made a stand, the Margrave of Brandenburg and the Duke of Saxony. Three of them were Catholic archbishops and one of them, the King of Bohemia, was Charles' brother Ferdinand.
* A relatively skinny actor was chosen to play the role of the overweight Luther.
* The film stated that Luther and Spalatin went to law school together. In reality, they didn't meet until much later.
* In the film, Frederick of Saxony is given the Golden Rose as a bribe to deliver Luther to Rome. In real life, he was awarded the rose before being ordered to do so.
*Aleander addresses Cajetan as cardinal in his first appearance, which apparently takes place shortly after the papal conclave that elected Leo X in 1513. In reality, Cajetan did not become a cardinal until four years later.
* In the end Luther gives his translation of the Bible to Frederick of Saxony. In reality the two never met.
*Andreas Karlstadt is herein depicted as radically distorting Luther's views while the latter is in seclusion at the Wartburg, insisting on being addressed as "Brother Andreas." The reforms which were "actually" orchestrated by Karlstadt were more peaceful and included [http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/vernacular vernacularization] of the Mass. He also did not renounce his title of professor until after Luther's return.
*Shortly before Prince Frederick convinces Charles to give Luther a hearing at the Diet of Worms, the Emperor introduces Aleander to him as a "new cardinal" and Aleander's dress supports this. Aleander would in fact not become a cardinal for another 15 years.
* Luther is shown delivering a sermon while walking amongst the pews. In reality, he would have remained behind the pulpit to deliver the sermon.
*Pope Alexander VI is said to have had five children. In real life he had more than that (at least ten).

Cast and crew

External links

*imdb title|0309820
*rotten-tomatoes|id=1125461-luther
*metacritic film|luther
*mojo title|luther