Raunak Chowdhury

Reviews and other content aren't verified by Google

Sir Thomas More who was recognized for his great intelligence, impartiality and wisdom, was bestowed with a smashing punishment for opposing King Henry VIII's remarriage with Anne Boleyn and divorce with his old wife Catherine. Director Fred Zinnemann brought to the big screen in March 1967 the back story of Sir Thomas More about how he stood firm on the path of truth to fight crime(Henry VIII's remarriage) against all odds. The film "A Man For All Seasons" fetches us to the time of Henry VIII. Divorce and remarriage of Henry VIII is the apple of discord here. It not only shows us the abuse of power, but also devotion for truth. It opens its curtain with a scene where Cardinal Wolsey was writing a letter to summon Thomas More. He summoned More to warn him that he shouldn't be too much honest and moralistic about king's remarriage. Actually, Henry VIII was in an heirless marriage and he wanted a successor. Therefore he longed for a remarriage with Anne Boleyn. In the past he married his widowed sister-in-law. Inspite of being immoral popes acceded the marriage keeping in mind the relationship between England and Spain. But, his planning for second marriage was not supported by popes even Thomas More. Wolsey gave his best efforts to convince popes. But his attempt came to naught. Then, Henry made More the next chancellor after Wolsey's death keeping in mind that More could help him. But, More didn't abuse his power and committed that he won't support king's remarriage. Then, many characters are seen who ceaselessly set trap for More. Richard Rich was one of them who tried to catch both hares. Sometimes Rich was seen flattering king supporters, other times he was seen flattering More for a upper post job. Many attempts were made to bribe More after becoming a chancellor. But nobody could do it. Although he accepted a silver cup as a gift. But when he came to know that it was a bribe, he immediately refused it and gave to Rich. After a lot of attempts, king supporters could put him behind the prison bars. Then the litigation against More continued in the court. A false testimony of Richard Rich helped Henry VIII to remove Thomas More out of his way. Thomas More never sold himself, even not for his own profits and comforts. This film was released on big screen 56 years ago; but if we watch it standing in this decade or era, we can relate it to our society. A lot of people don't watch this film till now. If they watch it, they can feel how much relatable the film is. It is full of practical incidents and conceptions.