95 Reasons to See this Movie

A Few Hours in October

Earlier this month someone in the church blessed the staff with a check to celebrate “Pastor Appreciation Month.” Having heard some great reviews from Robbie and Joan Robinson, Pastor Tri, with staff in tow, went to the matinee showing of “Luther.” It was a history lesson well worth our time and tears.

If you enjoy Christian history this is an inspiring story of devotion and sacrifice you should put on your must movie see list.

Disclaimer

This movie is Rated PG-13 for disturbing images of violence. Although these scenes are a fair portrayal of the unfortunate violence that accompanied the beginning of the Reformation, we do not recommend it for children.

Movie Times

Unfortunately the movie has moved on from the Edwards Theatre for films that Tri won’t let the staff see. However, look for it to come to a dollar theater. You might even consider calling the management of the dollar theaters and requesting that they bring this film back to town. At the very least, remember this film when it comes out on video and DVD.

About

Most audiences today know that Martin Luther is one of the most important figures in world history. Hailed as the “Father of Protestantism,” Luther is best known for nailing the famous 95 Theses to the doors of a church sparking the great spiritual Reformation of the 16^th century. But few people, mostly adherents to his teachings, really know anything of the man, his trials and triumphs. The international production LUTHER puts a human face on the historical facts.

“The story of Martin Luther (1483-1546) unfolds in one of the greatest revolutionary periods in human history,” says director Eric Till. “The Middle Ages were giving way to the Renaissance. It was the epoch in which Copernicus risked his life by laying out his cosmic theory, according to which the earth was not the center of the universe; when Gutenberg invented movable type; and Galileo was condemned by the inquisition for his physical discoveries. Pope Leo X and Emperor Charles V determined the political climate of Europe. One often has the impression that Luther stood at the center of it all.”

Adds producer Brigitte Rochow, “The film should tell his story without creating the impression that we simply want to illustrate a history book. Luther’s life was neither dry nor dusty, but a turbulent, highly emotional and dramatic ‘career’ which was characterized by a disturbing tug-of-war between a strong faith and temptation, hardness and vulnerability, decisiveness and feud.”

The Story

Armed with nor more than his faith and quick wit, one man confronts the greatest powers on earth. Martin Luther’s bold actions foster an era of personal and religious freedoms unprecedented in history.

A young law student, Luther abruptly enters a monastery when he believes his life is spared during a violent lightening storm. His ambitions father is infuriated and Luther turns to a spiritual mentor. Father Johann von Staupitz. Luther proves an eager, apt disciple and is selected to travel to Rome on church business. Luther enters the holy city with the wide-eyed ideals of a young man - only to have them shattered. Depravity is everywhere.

Here, Luther learns about “indulgences” that allow people to buy salvation for a fee and free themselves or deceased relatives from eternal damnation. Disillusioned by this profiteering he asks, “Is not salvation accessible to all?”

Luther is sent to study at the university in Wittenberg and later becomes a professor of theology. Among his staunch supporters is Prince Frederick the Wise, who admires Luther’s courage of conviction – even though his vociferous opinions are beginning to cause ripples.

In Rome, the new Pope, Leo X, has mandated that funds be raised to build St. Peter’s Basilica. The huge financial undertaking is to be financed by the sales of indulgences. The premiere “marketer” of indulgences, John Tetzel, preaches to the German crowds about the hell fire awaiting their wretched souls should they forego this “special indulgence.”

Luther is incensed at such naked manipulation, inspiring at such naked manipulation, inspiring him to write 95 Theses, an essay he nails to the local church’s door. His ideas are reproduced via the new Guttenberg printing press and quickly spread throughout Europe.

The Pope reacts angrily. Luther is to recant his heretical writings or face excommunication, trial by Inquisition and likely death. The stage is set for confrontation. Luther stands defiant. A schism rips at the heart of the Church as the new “Protestant” movement begins.

With the ascent of new attitudes about religion and social order, the world is changed forever.

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