A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS

US, 1988, 150 minutes, Colour.
Charlton Heston, Vanessa Redgrave, John Gielgud, Richard Johnson, Roy Kinnear.
Directed by Charlton Heston.

A Man For All Seasons became a screen classic with Fred Zinnemann's Oscar-winning version of 1966. Paul Scofield, who had portrayed More on stage, became the embodiment of St Thomas More.

Turner Television Productions made the film for television in 1988. However, while Bolt had to adapt his screenplay for the screen version, for the telemovie he was able to use his complete text. This version has the advantage for viewers of presenting the complete perspective of Robert Bolt.

The film is beautifully photographed on British locations. In television style, it is able to focus much more on close-ups giving insight into characters and being able to present all their dialogue.

Charlton Heston is quite credible as More. He also does an efficient job of direction. Vanessa Redgrave, who appeared briefly in the original as Anne Boleyn, is an idiosyncratic Lady Alice. Richard Johnson is the bluff Duke of Norfolk and a strong English cast led by John Gielgud as Cardinal Wolsey portray the well-known characters of Thomas Cromwell, Richard Rich and Henry VIII himself.

While not taking the place of Zinnemann's classic, this is a welcome version of Robert Bolt's complete play.

1.The reputation of A Man For All Seasons? A classic? Robert Bolt's writing?

2.The television adaptation, the complete text, the television style?

3.British locations, interiors and exteriors? Costumes, decor, re-creation of period? The musical score, even the music of Henry VIII?

4.The strength of the cast and their interpretation?

5.Audience response to Thomas More, his reputation? Scholar, saint, adviser, English chancellor?

6.The title of the film as applied to More? The contrast with the common man? Roy Kinnear's style as the common man? His words to the audience by way of introduction and conclusion? The common man with audiences identifying with him? Strengths, weaknesses? Anonymity? As Matthew, eavesdropping, bribes and information? A callous approach? As the boatman trying to cheat Thomas More, as the jailer looking after him? As the head of the jury - if the cap fits?

7.Thomas More and English history and politics? His relationship with the Duke of Norfolk, their friendship? The discussions about the falcon? The friendship - or acquaintance - with Richard Rich? His reading his character correctly, unwilling to help him to preferment? Giving some recommendation to the Duke of Norfolk? More in his family circle, the grouchiness of Lady Alice? The devotion of Margaret? His interest in Roper, clashes with him and Roper's Reformation stances? More seen as a strong and genial character?

8.Henry VIII, the Tudor dynasty, the importance of stability after the Wars of the Roses? The need for the continuity of the dynasty? The need for a son, the background of his marriage to Catherine of Aragon, the dispensation from the Pope? The desire for the annulment? The Lutheran Reformation and Henry VIII's book against Luther? His advisers and their taking advantage of the Reformation movement? His visit to the More household, his dapper style? His own music, conversing in Latin with Margaret, quoting Deuteronomy and Leviticus? A man of moods, being driven? His monarchical manner? His subsequent history? The glimpse of him listening in behind the curtain at the trial?

9.The Duke of Norfolk and the aristocracy, limited interests, strong on friendship, bewildered by politicking? His employing Rich? His dilemma about the oath? Pleading with More, seeing him in prison, More engineering the argument to break off their friendship? His presiding at the court? His bewilderment of conscience?

10.The family, the bonds, their lifestyle, Lady Alice and her grumpiness, love for More? The visit of Henry VIII? Going to see him in prison, their various stances - and their pleading for him to take the oath?

11.Roper, his devotion to Meg, his strong stances and principles - but his bending them to save More?

12.The role of Cardinal Wolsey, chancellor, adviser to Henry VIII? His worldly life? The letter to Rome, the courtesy of letting More see it? His scheming, his worldliness and the discussions with More? Subsequent history?

13.Thomas Cromwell and his power, his range of informants, the influence on Wolsey, succeeding him? His meeting More with the boatman and chiding the boatman? His interest in informants, his relationship with Rich? The Machiavellian style? Rich and his giving of information? The discussion in the tavern - Rich's stance and his putting his hand in the flame? The encounters with the Spanish ambassador and the interaction for politicking? More's bribe, the woman witness and her story about the bribe? His dismissing it? His arguments with More?

14.Richard Rich, his studies, not wanting to be a teacher, ambitions? Wanting More to help him? The gift of the bribe? Employed by the Duke of Norfolk and his despising him? The encounters with Cromwell, in his employ, giving information, the story of the bribe? His being willing to perjure himself in the court? The Judas - for Wales?

15.The Spanish ambassador, the Spanish connection, Catherine of Aragon, the intrigue and surveillance?

16.The trial, the question of the oath? More and his explanation of keeping silent? The confrontation with Richard Rich? Accused of treason? His speech about doing none evil? His strong words (his own historic words) about not bending to the marriage?

17.The Reformation, Archbishop Cranmer? More's execution? Subsequent history of England and the Reformation, the Church of England, the destruction of the monasteries? Persecutions? The audience knowing their history and being able to make judgments on the conscience stances?

18.The film offering the experience of the play, text, performances? Analyses of themes? And the relevance of a 16th story to the present day?