A Man for All Seasons Page #2

Synopsis: When the highly respected British statesman Sir Thomas More (Paul Scofield) refuses to pressure the Pope into annulling the marriage of King Henry VIII (Robert Shaw) and his Spanish-born wife, More's clashes with the monarch increase in intensity. A devout Catholic, More stands by his religious principles and moves to leave the royal court. Unfortunately, the King and his loyalists aren't appeased by this, and press forward with grave charges of treason, further testing More's resolve.
Production: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
  Won 6 Oscars. Another 27 wins & 8 nominations.
 
IMDB:
7.9
Rotten Tomatoes:
80%
G
Year:
1966
120 min
6,741 Views


RICH:
That at least is the opinion of of Aristotle and—

NORFOLK:
(to MORE, riding indifferently over RICH’s last phrase, which we hear on SOUND over) A butcher’s son, and looks it.

MORE:
(wry) His looks, yes I give you his looks.

Appreciative snort from young Courtier.

MORE:
(pleasantly to RICH, raising his voice) What was that you said, Richard?

RICH, crouched in his embrasure looks up with flashing smile of gratitude.

RICH:
Nothing, Sir Thomas—t’was out of place.

ALICE:
(flatly) And Cardinal Wolsey’s just what he looks. And you’re a member of the King’s High Council, not an errand boy!

MORE:
That’s why I must go. The Duke would go, if the Cardinal called.

NORFOLK looks affronted for a second, then grunts.

NORFOLK:
I might.

Laughter. ALICE has risen. MORE kisses her.

MORE:
I’ll be back for breakfast.

Kisses MARGARET, says:

MORE:
Go to bed.

As a matter of routine, as cleaning their teeth, they put their hands together, shut their eyes, their GUESTS rising as a matter of everyday politeness, and:

MORE FAMILY:
Dear Lord give us rest tonight, or if we must be wakeful, cheerful, careful only for our soul’s salvation. For Christ’s sake, Amen.

ALICE and MARGARET have done, but:

MORE:
And bless our lord the King.

ALICE AND MARGARET, hastily:

ALICE AND:

MARGARET:
And bless our lord the King.

NORFOLK:
(gruffly patriotic) Amen!

MORE:
Good-night Your Grace. Excuse me gentlemen.

But NORFOLK takes him by the elbow, escorting him to the door, held wide by STEWARD. Confidential warning:

NORFOLK:
Keep clear of Wolsey, Thomas. He’s a frightened man.

MORE looks at him gravely but impassively. NORFOLK looks over his shoulder and sees: RICH, following, arrested by NORFOLK’s glance, stops, stranded, hovering ridiculously. NORFOLK, frowning:

NORFOLK:
Who is that?

MORE:
A young friend from Cambridge.

NORFOLK:
What’s he want?

MORE:
(with an aural shrug) What do they all want?—A position. Can you give him a position?

NORFOLK:
(reluctant; surprised) D’you recommend him?

MORE thinks, hesitates, thinks again, and:

MORE:
No.

He passes from frame. NORFOLK stares after:

RICH gives him an ingratiating nervous bob and hurries after:

16 EXT. MORE’S GARDEN AND STEPS DUSK

MORE emerging from house into the now almost dark garden where STEWARD passes him on to waiting MESSENGER. RICH emerges, TRACKING SHOT, RICH at MORE’s elbow.

RICH:
(eager) Well?

MORE:
No.

RICH:
(suspicious, indignant) Did you recommend me?

MORE:
....No.

RICH stops, MORE turns. RICH not only indignant but sincerely hurt.

MORE:
Richard... I may have a position for you ...

RICH:
What? What position—?

MORE, gently, but with a saving impatience; indicating the letter he still carries:

Rate this script:4.5 / 22 votes

Robert Bolt

British left-wing playwright best known for his screenplay for the 1962 epic Lawrence of Arabia directed by David Lean. more…

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Submitted on May 04, 2017

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