Product: Luther [ NON-USA FORMAT, PAL, Reg.2 Import - Germany ]
Rating: 5.0
Passion, conviction and realistic zeal - a riveting film.
The choice of Joseph Fiennes to play Luther was inspired - the actor has an intense and focused face of ascetic beauty, with remarkable eyes that convey exactly the sort of intellectual, doubt-ridden, zealous quality that one can't help thinking OUGHT to have defined the Luther of real history. In fact, the casting is well-nigh perfect in this superbly shot and scripted film. One sees the characters not as one-dimensional, but as real - they are extremely well acted, and well scripted.The character of Luther is finely drawn - and the story is made highly watchable through its intelligently-written script. In the main, the story sticks to historical fact, although there's some "film-tweaking" as well. One is drawn into the events of the Reformation with breathless excitement - the story is one of the personal quest every man must undertake, as well as the folly of quelling doubts by refusing to countenance them. The character of Luther undergoes enormous self-questioning and plenty of torment - he had no idea that his words would be used to spark off the horrors of the Peasants' War.The fine acting, the well-written script, the beautifully shot film make this DVD a treat for all, regardless of religious convictions. Watch it as a history, or just for the portrayal of Luther by Fiennes - it's a portrayal not to be missed.