Product: Luther [ NON-USA FORMAT, PAL, Reg.2 Import - Germany ]
Rating: 2.0
Historical Fiction
The sets, costumes and names are reasonably accurate. The casting is good and the acting is compelling. The historic viability grinds to a halt there. The writing is a strange piece of revisionist history. Some parts have been researched, like the time line of Luther's life, but his copious writings are referenced little in favor of a more mystical "interpretation". In fact, ironically, Luther is changed into a pious, mild mannered person, more in keeping with what we know of Erasmus. As another reviewer commented, "the Luther of history is nowhere to be found."There is also little to suggest the foundational concept of the Reformation in rejecting apostolic authority and the Church for the authority of "scripture alone". Gross innacuracies are perpetuated, either in ignorance or from ignoring church history, regarding things like indulgences and the availability of the Bible. Why these "straw men" are preferred over valid criticisms is not clear. You might find Brother Cadfael to be be more accurate and enjoyable, the historicity is certainly preferable.