Fred Zinnemann's A Man for All Seasons (1966) - Opening

[@davidm2688]

One of the most riveting and resounding openings of any motion picture I've ever seen. A true classic in every sense!

[@AdamAus85]

You almost feel transported back in time watching these opening scenes.

[@deezmemes126]

The opening is stunning. The symbols of the world of Men, statues, rich robes, chains of office, official seals, grand halls, pomp and ceremony, all set against a backdrop of the world of Nature. Both worlds beautiful and fragile in their own way.

[@curtwild7392]

Beautifully put!

[@christophergriffin4643]

Successive gargoyle shots grow darker...a sign of storms to come

[@jeffg.8964]

Bravo! Never thought of it that way, too enthralled with the superb craft (cinematography, music).

[@TheSnowballEarth]

@@christophergriffin4643 Ending with the greatest gargoyle, Wolsey.

[@lukefarrer1616]

Visited Hampton Court for the first time since I was a child and had this tune in my head for most of the time! This film makes me enjoy British history in a way school didn't teach me.

[@blessOTMA]

A terrific opening, classic. Over the course of 50 years I have seen this picture perhaps 80 times. I got something out of it each time. Fantastic. Thank for uploading it.

[@pix046]

Perhaps you should carry a copy around with you. So you will never be without it. To minimise the inconvenience.

[@stephentreherne3456]

A truly wonderful film. A film for all ages. The portrayal of a man who is willing to sacrifice all that he has achieved..high office...his family...close friendships...loyalty to the king for moral justice and high principles. However, faithfully the film may or may not mirror the truth behind Thomas Moore's actions and motivation it stands as a great portrayal of humanity and courage against adversity. Robert Bolt's superb screen play, a cast to die for, Zimmerman's perfectly crafted direction and at it's heart a truly towering performance by surely the greatest actor of his generation...Paul scofield.

[@jgesselberty]

Possibly one of the most perfect period films ever made. Schofield is genius.

[@Tengobaila3]

One of my ALL-TIME favorite movies that I've watched dozens of times and I hang on to every word!! Just superb and this portrayal of Moore is my hero!!

[@porcospino289]

And after the dozens you still misspell his name.

[@paullewis2413]

The greatest movie opening of all time. Look at the names on the credits, everyone outstanding in their own profession. This film is a reminder of how the movie industry has deteriorated over the past decades along with many other branches of the arts. Basically we live in an era where trash is celebrated, a sure sign of a dying civilization.

[@Dustshoe]

I agree!

[@cbtharr]

Each of the actors agreed to get paid at the basic rate allowed by the Screen Actors Guild so as to keep production costs from derailing the movie.

[@jonahtwhale1779]

Yes and what is the biggest change in the culture since then? The empowerment of women. Women who are known for their love of competence. We see this in the playground when they are children. Do women esteem the most competent of their peers like the boys do? Appointing the best players to leadership positions in their groups? Or do women split up into their little cliques and spend all their time undermining their rivals? We all see how the majority of women dedicate themselves to their careers. Saving no efforts to get part time or flexible working instead of putting in the extra hours that men have to dedicate. Women who have to get extra help, encouragement and quotas instead of excelling on their own merits. Is it any surprise that our enterprises are waning across our culture?

[@dt9913]

"We live in an era where trash is celebrated". You mean the era of Trumpism where a POTUS did anything he wanted and left a cult like sickness which still infects a large swath of this country?

[@BradBrassman]

Yes, to be replaced by crap game shows etc; what Pliny referrred to as "Bread and Circuses" that preceded the fall of Rome.

[@larrydugan1376]

A great musical soundtrack for a great movie. Superb acting, sets, costumes & photography. Sadly, they do not make them like that anymore. One of my most favorite films!

[@Joseph-sx4fq]

Notice how, in each shot of the the opening 17 seconds, the sky grows steadily darker and more ominous above the grotesqueries of human passion. That attention to minute particulars, where every detail is thematically operative, is the essence of great art. Fred Zinneman was just such an artist. "The Nun's Story" is equally rich in such detail.

[@ImYourHuckleberry_29]

I noticed but I'd always thought it was becoming night. Never thought of the symbolism.

[@stevekaczynski3793]

@@ImYourHuckleberry_29 It seemed to be daylight when the messenger set off, then it is twilight as the boat goes along the river. The sun is going down at 3:55. Yet it is not yet night when he arrives, although an observer might expect it to be - probably they could not film outdoors readily in darkness. It is almost like it decided to be daylight again...

[@Hellserch]

I discovered this a year ago. I felt like weeping when I heard the majesty of this opening title. Why? It made me think of all the mediocrity that I currently live through and it made me feel powerless. Having said that, we are entering an age where we will find meaning in perhaps the worst ways. This work of art will find meaning now I think and all of us will be forced to take sides in the battle for freedom in the face of corruption and tyranny. I might seem hyperbolic in my description of the 21st century but I think that will be the case. We face a stark future and the preoccupations of Tudor England will be small fare compared to the agonising decisions about the fate of humanity and the planet that we all have to face. That said, great film.

[@tylsimys67]

Absolutely stunning film.

[@rabbitandcrow]

Courage. This film makes you want show courage.

[@gorettileal8669]

Tem toda razão. Que São Tomás Moro nos ajude!

[@Valhalla1937]

The most startling piece of music that ever opened a movie. Equal to the man who would change Europe & the Church, Sir. Thomas Moore.

[@westlock]

More tried to prevent change, and failed. From his viewpoint, these events were pure tragedy.

[@karlchandran4631]

The opening score was so transportive. Beautiful, yet foreboding. I saw the movie some years ago and loved it.

[@SarahLouiseA]

I have always found this music very haunting, this scene gives an eerily authentic glimpse of Tudor England

[@borleyboo5613]

Sarah Anthony Spot on, Sarah. It does indeed.

[@pbrucpaul]

@@borleyboo5613 Sir Thomas Moore was one of Britains revered Noblemen

[@BradBrassman]

Ive always thought that!!

[@pbrucpaul]

That organ music is haunting and majestic

[@rickyj5547]

He really never gave john tindale any mercy.

[@elizabethbower2168]

I saw this film when it first came out and I can still remember the haunting atmospheric music which is played at the beginning of the film… Wish there were more films like this nowadays

[@rowancrew2934]

Could there possibly be a greater opening to any film? l think not.

[@lisasimmons5362]

From outset to conclusion, this film is an absolutely phenomenal masterpiece across the board.

[@zvonimirvidovic1714]

Great sound effect on 2:00 when Robert Shaw's name appears simultaneously with that bass tone in background echoing the role of Henry VIII. Absolutely magnificent 🤝🏻

[@touristemily]

Oh I never caught that before. Awesome!!

[@tmbarton1961]

Same tone for John Hurt's name. He played Richard Rich, who betrayed Thomas More.

[@borleyboo5613]

Gorgeous music and beautiful imagery. Stunning!

[@hogemoh]

Beautiful soundtrack by Georges Delerue and one of my favourite movies! :D

[@skylark9770]

One of the best movie openings I’ve ever seen.

[@paulhiggins8662]

It's the timelessness of the scenery and wildlife in this scene that makes it so compelling. The people come and go as that centuries pass, but today that little bit of England along that stretch of river is probably just as it was in 1966 when the film was made and just as it was in Tudor times when the film was set. Very fitting for a film about a man whose morale courage transcends the centuries.

[@polemeros]

The movie is in every way a great work of art, beginning with the beginning.

[@Njbear7453]

Just watched this last night and this film was SO ahead of its time in 1966, and the music is awesome !

[@earljohnson50]

The cinematography of this movie is nothing short of pure magic

[@bakerdelb]

this is more than a great film the opening sequence is a work of art the brooding presence of Orson Welles as Wolsey the scenery the birds on the river and the sky and as for the music i think even the great royal composer Handel would have been proud of that

[@douglasschliewen4302]

Thomas More is among those men in history whom I admire most. His life was taken from him because of honesty, something which is a rare commodity, and which certainly can be said of most of those who were around him. Even though I disagree with most of what he had to say about the Church, I admire him for standing up for his convictions and for those qualities which the Christian religion represents.

[@rogerselway4713]

But don’t forget he was also responsible for sending Christians to their death for simply wanting to read the bible in English

[@alancoe1002]

This soundtrack and movie hit me so hard that I believe it was a major influence in my travels to the UK. Of course, I went to Hampton Court. How could I not?

[@carolemurphy6205]

Sublime music from the extraordinary Georges DeLaRue. Unfortunately, not enough of his music has made it onto records/CDs. Quel domage.

[@Kinopanorama1]

A brilliant film with an equally brilliant score by Georges Delerue.

[@jerribee1]

Perfect combination of music and cinematography.

[@jamescollinson2179]

What seems most amazing to me about this beautiful film is that it was made for just under $2 million. Even in 1966 this was an extremely small budget for a fully realized historical epic from a major studio. Lawrence of Arabia which was produced 4 years earlier cost $18 million and Cleopatra produced 3 years earlier cost $33 million.

[@BrianandSnoopy1]

one of my favorite openings of a movie. as a matter of fact all the nominees for best picture that year i believe had some of the best openings scenes/credits i've ever seen.

[@zriter59escritor33]

One of my favorite films. If memory serves, the studio execs were against casting Scofield, who had made only a handful of movies by then. So they doubted he'd be box office. They offered the part to Richard Burton and Peter O'Toole. Each turned it down. Charlton Heston was then pretty box-office, and he had played More in some touring productions of the play. Heston's agent lobbied for him. But Zinneman had seen Scofield as More on Broadway. Zinnemann insisted on casting Scofield. And the film kicked some serious box-office butt. Scofield's More is one of the greatest performances on film.

[@JOHN----DOE]

Besides the music, the scene is perfect . . . a contrast between the uptight scampering to fulfill the whims of the powerful, and the serenity of nature, like More's serenity. The wildfowl scatter with the passing messenger boat, and then settle back into serenity. What is transient vs. what is eternal.

[@drparnassus2867]

Just before More makes his speech on the scaffold, there's this sun-drenched shot of a bee innocently collecting pollen from a flower. Brilliant touch!

[@zthetha]

Every so often you get a brilliant script, a cast of great actors at the top of their game, a superb cinematographer and musical director and of course an overall director of impecable skill and taste. The result can be pure magic like this. While you cannot blame Chuck Heston for having a bash at it some years later he must have known he was bound to come in a poor second. Some things are so near perfection that only a fool would tamper with them.

[@paullewis2413]

Absolutely agree. Some films are so near perfect any attempt at a re-make will fail. With rare exceptions, historical dramas today pale in comparison with those made in the 60`s, particularly U.S. made productions where the actors have absolutely no idea of how to act or speak in a convincing way.

[@porcospino289]

Ah, but I can and do blame chart. As you say, he was a fool. And his politics reeked.

[@porcospino289]

Sorry; I can’t spell either. Charlt.

[@StudSupreme]

Brits made some wonderful historical films in the 60's.

[@JOHN----DOE]

With wonderful actors . . . Burton, O'Toole, Hepburn, Vanessa Redgrave, Glenda Jackson, and above all Paul Scofield

[@redsquirrel1086]

The Brits are brilliant at historical and period drama.

[@mrelano65]

Fred Zimmerman was not British.

[@paullewis2413]

@@mrelano65 True, he was Austrian. However the screenplay writer and all the actors were British. This movie marked the high point of British made films and on an historical subject has never been surpassed.

[@mrelano65]

Orson Welles was American by the way.

[@jamesbrice6619]

Greatest opening of all time. Music is immaculate

[@brucesharpe1079]

A brilliant film and music Hampton court is well worth a visit this film has some of the best actors in it

[@siegfried923]

One of the Best Film openings ever Even the Duck gliding along the river mimicking the barge taken the Courier to Chelsea and St Thomas Mores House

[@pankajshah3422]

One of the greatest n finest film directed by Fred Zinmann.Paul Scoffild won the best actor Oscar award.💐💐💐

[@lisasimmons5362]

Astoundingly insightful direction by the masterful Fred Zinnemann. I love also of his direction of A NUN'S STORY starring Audrey Hepburn.

[@lesliesheppard2503]

Love this music.

[@richartlorenz]

A very appropriate beginning to this wonderful movie!

[@ivoe1574]

You can tell that Cardinal Woolsey (Orson Wells) is angry when he is writing this letter… I love it!

[@CLASSICALFAN100]

Also, notice how Wolsey's hand is trembling slightly as he seals the letter, hinting at his age and ill-health...**WHAT A MOVIE !!**

[@douglasdaniel4504]

Also, the messenger runs every step he can, because the Cardinal's business brooks no delay, by the Rood....

[@waivedwench]

Nowadays he could just have fired him off an email ALL IN CAPS!!

[@keefriffards]

We will never see a film like this probably ever.

[@plop199]

Great piece of cinema history

[@benmeadows1040]

Very good the opening credits when the messenger took the letter, hopped in the boat with the other boatmen to Thomas More's house. Great costumes they had on, beautiful birds and duck flying around the river over the sunset. That opening music I say was magnificent and absolutely beautiful. I like "A Man For All Seasons" one the best oscar awards they earned in 1966 for Best Actor, Best Film, Best Writing, Best Cinematography, Best Director, Best Picture, Best Costume Design and Best Motion Picture

[@greentombdive]

Thought provoking opening … the music !

[@rabbitandcrow]

Even the subtle direction of the messenger is great in this - a man whose one and only job in life is to get from point A to point B as fast and securely as possible. Even in the way he moves, you can almost imagine a Tudor version of a long distance runner, trained to be superlatively good at that one job.

[@stevekaczynski3793]

Probably he rides a horse much of the time to bring a letter, but in this case it is to someone who lives alongside the river. Whether it is faster or slower than a horse would be, I don't know. It might even be faster by horse.

[@pix046]

Really lovely scenery and lighting.

[@pyewackett5]

Just wonderful on so many levels : D

[@daveb3809]

I visited Hampton Court Palace yesterday. I've always wondered about those stone engravings focused close-up at the opening of the clip. They line the front right at the main entrance. I wonder how they worked out a direct way from the doorway to the light grey stone steps going down to the river as there doesn't appear to be a direct linkage. You need an entire day to see everything at the Palace and is well worth the entrance fee. A fascinating piece of English history as is this film. Acting legends like Paul Schofield and Leo McKern don't exist anymore. This film, almost like the period it represents, is now a history in movie making. A great opening and great music. Thanks for uploading.

[@Mathemagical55]

Although it's very convincing it wasn't actually filmed at Hampton Court Palace or on the river Thames!

[@zuzanasemkova2809]

Hello Dave, l also visited Hampton and asked the quides about those engravings. The answer was that not everything had been filmed there.

[@stevekaczynski3793]

In "Day Of The Jackal", Zinnemann began and ended the film with a close-up of a lion sculpture, I think located outside the French president's palace. It seems to have been a director's trademark although I have not seen other films of his to confirm this.

[@daveb3809]

@@Mathemagical55 if that's the case, although the statues look remarkably the same!

[@canine6023]

I love this opening. The movie is great as well.

[@jeffs7915]

Beauty, pageantry and sadness, as if the echoes of the past, call as a warning to the present.

[@alancoe1002]

Well said.

[@joeoconnor5400]

There is always the brooding, sister presence of Henry VIII in the background of this music. Unfortunately it was never put forward for the Oscars in 1967.

[@Houdini774]

This soundtrack is so amazingly frightening. Very much like an old 1950's horror movie. Ironically the central theme of this movie is about the evil monsters that lurk in every man's soul, including a king's. Sadly at the end of this movie the monster wins.

[@douglasschliewen4302]

If you listen to the music being performed, you can tell that the early 16th century was the transition period between the medieval and classical genre. The use of the horns and the overall tone being played reflects the medieval aspect of music, but the playing of the harpsichord clearly shows the classical period about to come forth, especially when the harpsichord was one of the major Instruments used during the early part of the classical period, namely Baroque.

[@DefaultDerrick]

This makes me wish for a time machine to Tudor England.

[@gemmag.2988]

Nope. No antibiotics or aspirin!! And hardly anyone washed....

[@thatblenderguy7566]

Happy 55th Anniversary A Man For All Seasons (12th December 1966 - 12th December 2021)

[@pbrucpaul]

" Take thee forthwith with hasten dispatch." It was said. A splendid opening.

[@stevekaczynski3793]

Revealing. Wolsey gives clear signs of irritation and possible illness, Cromwell is clearly efficient and watchful - he hands the letter to a servant, probably the Cardinal's as he has a robe of dark red, and Cromwell stares at his back to make sure he is hurrying to do his duty. The messenger does a quick salute with his sword and runs to the boat - urgent business. The people waiting outside are probably desperate to have an interview with the Cardinal but it will probably be Cromwell who decides if they see him or not.

[@blessOTMA]

This was when the actors from the theatrical productions didn't usually appear in the flims. But Paul Scoffild was so great, they had to have him. Another case in point, " the miracle worker". The studio wanted to replace Anne Bancroft and Party Duke. The director, Arthur Penn said No. ....thankfully these performances were captured on film!

[@michaelgaskell2031]

Beautiful opening.

[@deanmalpas9798]

Majestic opening 👌🏼

[@gorettileal8669]

Que música MARAVILHOSA, enche a alma!!!!

[@steveparadis2978]

In the early 70's Fred Zinnemann came to a studio with a project. The first exec he talked with was a young hotshot, who said "Tell me what you've done." Zinnemann said "You first."

[@stevekaczynski3793]

Zinnemann was annoyed that despite having won several Academy Awards, the young guy had not heard of him.

[@tritonemedia]

We often look to the future for an authoritarian dystopia, and yet here it was, 500 years ago, among the still natural splendor of old England. What a terrifying place it must have been. The music just hits it.

[@pablogarciadelpino3550]

Una obertura simplemente Sublim

[@Sennmut]

They do NOT make films like this today. I don't think anyone could.

[@Setebos]

Good upload. The theme music really needs to be accompanied by the opening credits for the full effect.

[@2serveand2protect]

Very good!

[@viridianhughes219]

Scofield …epic portrayal

[@marktreuge222]

great film

[@williambowman5565]

Why in God’s holy name did this piece of music not make it onto the official soundtrack??? There are snippets of music and a lot of dialogue, but this is absent. One of the best pieces of music ever, and they couldn’t see fit to put it on the soundtrack. WTF!!!

[@danielgorrell4299]

This song denotes a change in Era. The golden Era of Christendom is ending.

[@jbarry39]

Wonderful music for a Wonderful film

[@alancoe1002]

The music is what grabs you by the heart. And it never lets go.

[@stevekaczynski3793]

The messenger was a son of the director Fred Zinnemann, playing a bit part. (Later note) Apparently this is an error on my part. The messenger seems to have been Matt Zimmerman, a Canadian actor and apparently not related to the director.

[@rickyj5547]

Makes me want to go to Hampton court palace.

[@johcafra]

Not one frame of film wasted, and in my blinkered view the perfect screenplay adaptation. And then there's the acting...Charlton Heston so very much wanted to play More. Fast forward some decades and he got his chance; I believe it's on the 'tube. You judge the results.

[@JOHN----DOE]

Heston couldn't possibly do justice to the script, let alone Schofield's portrayal. Heston didn't have a drop of self-irony in his soul, which made him fine for playing self-righteous divine figures. The essence of Bolt's More is his ability to see the saintly and sinful in everyone, especially himself, and to criticize while sympathizing with human frailty ("but for WALES")

[@susieenglish302]

Heston just made me sad

[@lennydickens9791]

Great film great music

[@stevekaczynski3793]

@@JOHN----DOE Heston's portrayal (which I have not seen) might have been more historically accurate. The historical More is a bit of an enigma - one of the major intellectuals of his time, yet as a public official he did his best to stamp out heresy and on occasion gloated about sending heretics to the fires of hell after sentencing them to the "short fire". There is no sign he ever doubted the course he was on. He was a friend of Erasmus but lacked the ability of Erasmus to stay detached, then again the Dutchman never held high office.

[@alancoe1002]

Scofield.

[@nickspruytenburg1230]

A remarkable film, but it does contain some inaccuracies, one of which is the assertion that Wolsey was still Chancellor when he was dying at Leicester on his way to London. He had left office some months before. It's also worth remembering that More was Chancellor for nearly three years; this account gives the distinct impression that it was far shorter. I would also suggest that More and King Henry had quite a few private conversations about the validity of Queen Catherine's first marriage to Prince Arthur. After all, they were on very friendly terms.

[@dashcammer4322]

Hampton to Chelsea is about 18 miles by river, and they have the current going for them in that direction. 2 passengers, 4 oarsmen. I wonder what the usual speed would be on a trip of that length, with, without, and against the normal Thames current along that snaky course.

[@bobbolondz2701]

Evinrude must have put a lot of oarsmen out of work.

[@martinidry6300]

Strange to think that where the courier arrives is the countryside manor house of Sir Thomas More in … Chelsea. London itself was further to the east then. The quality of everything in the arts then, (and everything else) was the legacy of the fact that people of that time had been brought up by, or actually were, Victorians and/or Edwardians. It was almost impossible to fake anything. You either had talent and value or you didn't. It's utterly impossible to see this standard returning, except via the most traumatic avenue - which i fear is coming in the next few decades. The period when this film was set, the 1520's saw the most traumatic changes because Europe was changing from Late Medieval to Early Modernity. We are going from Modernity to Post Modernity. And yes, there are Thomas More's who still speak the truth - and are suffering for it. If Europe is to save itself, it has to re-embrace nationalism and religion. If it doesn't it will die.

[@stevekaczynski3793]

Paul Scofield, mainly a stage actor, only had sixth billing in this. Interesting that Wendy Hiller was first.

[@tompazur6008]

The major credit names were shown in alphabetic order.

[@elhooligan212]

Beautiful scenery on the Thames

[@Akatosh86]

Perfectly Gothic opening for a top drama set in the transitional era betweext gothic and renaissance eras and mentalities.

[@freedomtosayno7880]

Who is all-powerful should fear everything. - Pierre Corneille, Cinna, 1640

[@steveweinstein3222]

If that's a replica of Hampton Court, it's a damn good one.

[@CLASSICALFAN100]

Set Design was by the great John Box, who also did Lawrence of Arabia and the original (Omar Sharif) Dr. Zhivago...

[@redsquirrel1086]

The outside shots are Hampton Court itself.

[@defenstrator4660]

These days it would be hard to find part of the Thames without houses along it.

[@simonebulleri1975]

great

[@gorettileal8669]

Não canso de ouvir essa música.

[@LordTalax]

All those men to deliver one message. The postal service was bloated back then.

[@stevekaczynski3793]

A royal message. The letter H on the messenger's doublet suggests he is literally a servant of King Henry.

[@fortboy66]

Personally, the best opening scenes and music to any film I can think of, it is supposed to be the Thames, but I think it was filmed elsewhere?

[@tylsimys67]

I'm not sure as ever even seen Thames but I guess it's shores look somewhat different now after almost 500 years.

[@Dustshoe]

It was filmed on a lake in the county of Hampshire in southern England. Or perhaps it was in an estuary, in the same county.

[@stevekaczynski3793]

@@Dustshoe Probably the Thames had too many modern buildings on its banks in the 1960s.

[@stevekaczynski3793]

I can't recall whether they held the boat to convey More to meet Wolsey, or whether they got another one. If they did the former, with the crew, the messenger and More, it would have been rather crowded.

[@CLASSICALFAN100]

**A WONDERFUL BEGINNING TO A FIRST-CLASS FILM** The 1500's equivalent of Express Mail. The time-frame shown in the movie required to travel by boat from Westminster to Hampton Court is *very accurate* ! The King's Messenger seems to have left Westminster at ~ 3:00 pm & arrived at HC ~ 6:30 pm. Nowadays, tour guide *Thames River Tours* can propel you on the very same trip in *the same 3.5 hours*! www.londontown.com/LondonInformation/Travel/Westminster_Passenger_Services_Association/ee35/

[@maryej59]

Oh, that’s cool! But I’d always assumed the messenger arrived at More’s home at about 10 p.m., or a bit before. It’s high summer and the sun is setting-it would be late. I love this opening. The riverscapes are gorgeous and so is the music.

[@stevekaczynski3793]

I feel this was probably shot over several days and at times the lighting is inconsistent. It is sunset when the boat is travelling but it seems to be light again when it arrives.

[@corlyssd]

Best part of the show.

[@xavierlechard3269]

Incredible but true, George Delerue's score was NOT nominated for an Oscar. What did the Academy have stuffed inside their ears that year?

[@susieenglish302]

Once you have seen this I beg you not to watch the Charlton Heston vanity fest it will only make you sad

[@rickyj5547]

He played the part in America. But Paul own the part.

[@rickmcn1986]

This film is one of my favourites, but are there continuity errors in this scene? The scene starts at day time. We see lots of shots of the Thames when it is clearly dusk. By the time the messenger arrives at sir thomas's it is morning and the birds are chirping. Surely this would have been a short journey down the thames, maybe not taking more than a couple of hours, but this seems to suggest it took all night?

[@newjeffersonian6456]

Looking at a map of Greater London, the straight line distance from Hampton Court Palace where the film opens to the site where the estate of Thomas More was located in Chelsea, is about 9 miles. However taking a boat down the winding River Thames would be a journey of about 16 miles.

[@rickmcn1986]

@@newjeffersonian6456 Well I think that proves my point. It wouldnt take a boat all night to travel 16 miles.

[@fidelisfaber4961]

The scene at the Mores' house in Chelsea is supposed to be taking place in the early evening, but I heard somewhere that the relative lightness of their garden compared to the gloom and sunset over the river is supposed to be a metaphor - sun setting on Wolsey, radiant light over the More family ... What puzzles me is that the boat is rowing roughly eastward from Hampton to Chelsea, but apparently into the sunset?

[@Mathemagical55]

@@fidelisfaber4961 The river Thames winds a lot on that journey and if you consult a map you'll see there are places where you'd be heading west ... but it wasn't filmed on the Thames anyway so you're over-analysing :)

[@newjeffersonian6456]

@@Mathemagical55 No, it couldn't have been filmed on location. The opening scene of rowing a boat down the Thames in 1529 with high-rise office buildings in the background definitely would have diminished the authenticity level of the film.

[@annepassman946]

I would like to add the opening 15 mins of "Gladiator" to the list of stunning openings, though the cast is not as stellar as "a man for all seasons"

[@larrypage593]

The last breath of a now dead GREAT Britain.

[@MariaMartinez-researcher]

Great? Look what that king did...

[@coolcat1684]

Just think ...this message would be sent instantaneously by email now, so much more efficient ... yet so much less dramatic...