| Martin Luther | |
|---|---|
&sq=Facebook&lang=en&file=File:MartinLuther1953.jpg) Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Irving Pichel |
| Written by | |
| Produced by | Lothar Wolff |
| Starring | Niall MacGinnis |
| Cinematography | Joseph C. Brun |
| Edited by | Fritz Stapenhorst |
| Music by | Mark Lothar |
| Distributed by | De Rochemont/Lutheran Productions |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 105 min |
| Country | United States/West Germany |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $500,000[2] or $350,000[3] |
| Box office | $3 million[3] |
Martin Luther is a 1953 American–West German film biography of Martin Luther. It was directed by Irving Pichel, (who also plays a supporting role), and stars Niall MacGinnis as Luther. It was produced by Louis de Rochemont and RD-DR Corporation in collaboration with Lutheran Church Productions and Luther-Film-G.M.B.H.
The National Board of Review named the film the fourth best of 1953. It was nominated for two Oscars, for Best Cinematography (Black-and-White) (Joseph C. Brun) and Art Direction/Set Decoration (Black-and-White) (Fritz Maurischat, Paul Markwitz).[4] The music was composed by Mark Lothar and performed by the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra. It was filmed at the Wiesbaden Studios in Hesse in West Germany.
A notice at the beginning of the film characterizes it as a careful and balanced presentation of Luther's story: "This dramatization of a decisive moment in human history is the result of careful research of facts and conditions in the 16th century as reported by historians of many faiths." The research was done by notable Reformation scholars Theodore G. Tappert and Jaroslav Pelikan who assisted Allan Sloane and Lothar Wolff.
The film was commercially very successful.[2]
- ^ "Martin Luther". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. Retrieved June 22, 2018.
- ^ a b "'Luther' Winds up Theatrical Run". Variety. 31 August 1957. p. 7.
- ^ a b "'Schweitzer' Documentary to be Sold a La 'Luther". Variety. 13 March 1957. p. 19.
- ^ "NY Times: Martin Luther". Movies & TV Dept. The New York Times. 2008. Archived from the original on 2008-03-21. Retrieved 2008-12-21.