Joseph Fiennes: Martin Luther	Sir Peter Ustinov: Prince Frederick the Wise
Alfred Molina: Johann Tetzel	Bruno Ganz: Father Johann von Staupitz
Jonathan Firth: Girolamo Aleandro	Claire Cox: Katerina von Borg
Benjamin Sadler: Georg Spalatin	Jochen Horst: Professor Karlstadt
Directed by: Eric Till

Driven to the monastery by a promise made to God in the fright of a lightning storm, Martin Luther-to the horror of his father-abandons his future law career to become an Augustinian monk. His spiritual counselor, Father Johann von Staupitz, is impressed with Luther and sends him to Rome on church business. Naïve and idealistic, Luther finds Rome "a circus, a running sewer." Hawkers sell religious goods irreverently, whores solicit priests and sideshow salesmen pitch indulgences ¾ guaranteed to save your soul-for a fee. When Luther witnesses master showman Brother John Tetzel terrorizing the crowd into purchasing indulgences to insure their salvation, he becomes outraged. Recognizing this as a ploy to finance Pope Leo X's construction of St. Peter's Basilica, Luther awakens to the corruption in the Church and writes his famed 95 Theses, which he posts on the local church's door. Its radical contents spread throughout Europe, courtesy of the new Guttenberg printing press.

Although he is threatened by the Pope with excommunication if he doesn't recant his statements, Luther remains steadfast and finds sanctuary with friend Prince Frederick, where he translates the Bible into German so it will be available to the common man. His movement gains momentum, he becomes a hero to the people and-in spite of his outlaw status with Church authorities ¾ his followers ultimately break with Rome and a new religion is formed. The film concludes as Luther marries an ex-nun, Katerina von Borg, who becomes the mother of their six children.

Adding fuel to the fire of present-day controversy surrounding the Catholic Church, "Luther" recounts the alarming corruption that infected the Church hundreds of years ago. This shocking true story- filled with passion, deception and suspense ¾ has all of the ingredients that should guarantee a dynamic cinematic presentation. Unfortunately, this weak effort falls short of that potential.

Everything about this production feels artificial. The actors seem uncomfortable in their costumes, the background matte drawings look like…well…matte drawings, performances are over-the-top, and the script and cinematography are boringly like a bad lesson in Scriptwriting 101. Despite the fact that much of the film was shot on location throughout Europe, "Luther" lacks believability. Perhaps the only bright spot is the comic relief provided by Peter Ustinov as Prince Frederick; his deadpan delivery a hoot, as well as his odd resemblance to an old lady.

Joseph Fiennes gives it his best shot but is ambushed by extras who smirk into the camera and co-stars who chew the scenery. Additional damage is done by the half-dozen reaction shots from minor characters that seemed to always follow Luther's potent speeches. And the sappy inclusion of the woman with the crippled kid…? Please.

Other audience members yawned and fidgeted during this disaster. I tried to figure out how a respected actor like Bruno Ganz (the angel in "Wings of Desire") got caught up in this mess. He must have owed someone big time.

Joseph Fiennes: "Shakespeare in Love"	Alfred Molina: "Frida"
Bruno Ganz: "Wings of Desire"	Jonathan Firth: TV "Leprechauns"
Claire Cox: "Shooting Fish"	Benjamin Sadler: "Hustle"
Jochen Horst: "Swing Kids"	Eric Till: "If You Could See What I Hear"