Common Sense Media Review
By S. Jhoanna Robledo
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Sober historical drama tells valuable tale with some death.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 12+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
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Luther
What's the Story?
In the sixteenth century, a German priest named Martin Luther (Joseph Fiennes) becomes increasingly disillusioned with the Catholic church, which he believes has become too concerned with material wealth and is drifting far from the original message of Jesus. His controversial views rouse the ire of the Pope and church hierarchy in Rome, and he's branded a heretic and later excommunicated. LUTHER shows what he risks by standing up for what he believes and follows the evolution of his ideas, as well as how those ideas transformed the world.
Is It Any Good?
Luther, the historical figure, was incredibly strong to stand up the church, even upon pain of death; Luther, the biopic, however, is less vivid and compelling. The film does a good job of explaining how his views evolved, but it feels less like a drama and more like a history lesson.
Fiennes is a fine actor who captures his character's conflicts. But the script is more like a series of vignettes -- each episode focused on an important event in Luther's life -- that don't hold together as a connected tale. It's preachy rather than exciting, and feels like a movie someone might watch for school, rather than a title to sink into for entertainment.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about people who made a difference in history. What do you think about the life of Martin Luther? How were his ideas different from the status quo? Who else has taken a stand and changed history?
Would you stand up to authority for something you believed in, as Luther did? What would be the challenges to doing this? What kind of cause would make you take something on despite the difficulty?
How much of what is in this movie is factual? How can you find out?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : November 30, 2004
- Cast : Alfred Molina , Joseph Fiennes , Peter Ustinov
- Director : Eric Till
- Studio : MGM/UA
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : History
- Run time : 124 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : disturbing images of violence
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
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