Product: Luther [ NON-USA FORMAT, PAL, Reg.2 Import - Germany ]
Rating: 4.0
Here I Stand
"Luther" is a faithful rendering of the life, times, strengths, weaknesses, and ministry of the Protestant Reformer, Martin Luther. This is no "Sunday School" rendering nor is it a cheaply made, poorly done "Christian film." Instead, it is a well-acted (Joseph Fiennes as Luther) and beautifully filmed picture.That said, having studied Luther's life and read his "Table Talks" and "Letters of Spiritual Counsel," the script did not allow Fiennes to mind the depths of Luther's mind and soul. Nor did it clearly depict the historical context and future impact of his life.In book form, Heiko Oberman's "Luther: Man Between God and the Devil," Bainton's classic, "Here I Stand," and Martin Marty's recent "Martin Luther" all capture Luther's passionate strengths and weakness better than this film. Still, this is currently the best filmatic portrait of Martin Luther.Reviewer: Bob Kellemen, Ph.D., is the author of "Martin Luther: A Study in Christian Soul Care and Spiritual Direction" and of "Beyond the Suffering: Embracing the Legacy of African American Soul Care and Spiritual Direction." He is also the author of "Soul Physicians" and "Spiritual Friends."