Martin Luther, Heretic (1983 movie) facts for kids

Martin Luther, Heretic is a movie from 1983. It was made to celebrate 500 years since the birth of Martin Luther. The film stars Jonathan Pryce as Luther and Maurice Denham as Johann von Staupitz. The title "Heretic" refers to how some people saw Martin Luther because his ideas went against the official teachings of the church at that time.

About the Movie

This film tells the story of Martin Luther, a famous German monk and professor. He played a very important role in a big religious movement called the Protestant Reformation. The movie shows key moments in his life, focusing on his challenges to the powerful church of his time.

Who Was Martin Luther?

Martin Luther was born in 1483 in Germany. He became a monk and a professor of theology, which is the study of religious beliefs. He was very serious about his faith and believed that people should have a direct connection with God. He felt that some practices of the church were wrong and needed to change.

What Happens in the Movie?

The movie starts in 1506, when Luther was a young monk. It follows his journey as he begins to question some of the church's teachings. A major part of the story shows his famous act of nailing 95 ideas, called "The Ninety-five Theses," to a church door in Wittenberg. These ideas challenged the sale of "indulgences," which were like tickets people bought to reduce punishment for sins.

Luther's Big Ideas

Luther believed that people could only be saved by their faith in God, not by buying indulgences or doing good deeds alone. His ideas spread quickly because of the newly invented printing press. This made many people think differently about religion. The movie shows how his actions led to big arguments with church leaders and even the Holy Roman Emperor.

A Time of Change

Because of his strong beliefs, Luther was declared an "outlaw" and a "heretic" by the church and the empire. This meant he was in great danger. The movie ends in 1522, when Luther returns to Wittenberg after hiding for a while at Wartburg Castle. During his time in hiding, he translated the New Testament of the Bible into German. This allowed more people to read the Bible for themselves.

See Also

• Luther film