'A Man For All Seasons' at Russian Centre

'A Man For All Seasons' the most honoured picture of the year and winner of 20 awards including New York Film Critics Best Picture of the year will be screened at the Russian Centre, No.10, Independence Avenue, Colombo 7 on Saturday, 25 November 2006 at 5.00 pm.

The film stars Paul Scofield, Wendy Hiller Leo Mckern, Robert Show. The film is directed by Fred Zinnemann.

'A Man For All Seasons' (1966), Robert Bolt's play, whose unwavering integrity collides with King Henry VIII's egoistic drive to wrench personal salvation and political permanence for the Tudor line from an unwilling, but politically cornered, Pope. The Pope refuses to condone an annulment for Henry's marriage to Catherine of Aragon (of Spain) having already dispensed with biblical law to permit him to marry her in the first place. Sir Thomas More ignores Henry's pleading demands, throws off the Duke of Norfolk's friendly advice, and places his family in jeopardy because he cannot in good conscience submit his immortal soul to the commands of a mortal king. Neither does the political powder-keg that Henry's enemies may see More's obstinacy as a signal for revolt convinces him to submit. This crucible of moral standards takes place in the early sixteenth century. The common man makes all too clear that the likes of a Sir Thomas More are as rare today as they were in Henry's VIII's kingdom.