Luther (2003 movie) facts for kids
Luther is a 2003 movie that tells the true story of Martin Luther (1483–1546). A "biopic" is a film that shows the life of a real person. This movie stars Joseph Fiennes as Martin Luther and Alfred Molina as Johann Tetzel. The film covers important parts of Luther's life. It starts when he became a monk in 1505 and ends with a big meeting called the Diet of Augsburg in 1530.
Contents
Discovering the Story: What Happens in the Movie?
The movie begins with a powerful scene. Luther promises to become a monk after almost dying in a bad thunderstorm. Later, after a difficult first sermon, Luther travels to Rome. There, he sees some unfair practices within the Catholic Church.
Luther's Big Challenge: The Ninety-Five Theses
When Luther returns to Germany, he decides to speak up. He writes down his ideas in something called the "Ninety-Five Theses." These were 95 points that questioned the selling of "indulgences." Indulgences were like special papers people bought to reduce punishment for their sins. Luther believed this was wrong. His actions started a huge change known as the Reformation.
Facing Challenges: Excommunication and Hiding
Because of his strong beliefs, Luther was "excommunicated." This meant he was officially removed from the church. He was also declared an "outlaw," meaning he had no legal protection. To stay safe, Luther went into hiding. He was protected by a powerful leader named Frederick the Wise. During this time, Luther did something very important. He translated the New Testament part of the Bible into German. This made it possible for many more people to read it themselves.
A New Path: The Diet of Augsburg
The movie ends with a major event called the Diet of Augsburg. This was a big meeting where German princes gathered. At this meeting, they refused to ban a new religious movement called Protestantism. This decision helped secure religious freedom for many people.
Why This Movie Matters: Its Impact
The movie Luther was quite popular. It earned over $29 million around the world. While it doesn't show every single detail perfectly, it's a great way to learn about the Reformation. It also helps people understand the life of Martin Luther. The film can inspire you to learn even more about this important historical figure.
Related pages
