Luther (1964 film)
| Company type | Television play |
|---|---|
| Industry | Television, Drama |
| Founded | 1964 |
| Headquarters | Melbourne , Australia |
Key people | Christopher Muir (director), Phillip Grenville Mann (adapter), Terry Norris (actor) |
| Products | Television drama |
| Parent | Australian Broadcasting Corporation |
Luther is a television play from 1964 aired by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. The script, adapted by Phillip Grenville Mann from John Osborne's 1961 stage work, was directed in Melbourne by Christopher Muir and featured Terry Norris in the role of Luther.
Premise
This biographical drama portrays Luther's life spanning the years 1506 to 1530, focusing on his marriage and significant encounters.
Cast
- Terry Norris portraying Martin Luther
- Syd Conabere as Knight
- Douglas Kelly in the role of Johann Tetzel
- Michael Duffield as Staupitz
- Brian James playing Cajetan
- William Lloyd as Prior
- James Lynch as Hans
- Peter Aanensen as Lucas
- George Whaley as Brother Weinand
- Beverley Dunn as Katherine
- Glen Farmer portraying Militz
- Michael Cole as Pope Leo X
- Keith Lee in the role of Eck
- John Royle as Emperor
- Ian Neill playing Ulrich
- Ray Angel as archbishop
- Colin McEwan cast as a monk
Production
Osborne's original play premiered in 1961 with a cast of 34 members led by Norris, who had also appeared that same year in Nude with Violin, The Sponge Room, and The Physicists. Making a transition from radio, Colin McEwan took on a monk's role. The production design was handled by Paul Cleveland and marked the television dramatic debut of singer Michael Cole.
Reception
The Age labeled the production as "baffling," which elicited a reply from Chris Muir. The Sydney Morning Herald critiqued it for being "painfully cramped and distorted," commenting that Norris's Luther lacked authenticity and that the play felt fragmented. Conversely, The Canberra Times commended Christopher Muir's direction, calling it the finest local production of the year and emphasizing its strong effect on television audiences.
External links
- Films about Martin Luther
- 1964 Australian television plays
- Australian Broadcasting Corporation original programming
- Australian English-language television shows
- Films based on works by John Osborne
- 1964 television plays
- Films directed by Christopher Muir
- Australian Broadcasting Corporation television plays
- Television plays filmed in Melbourne
- Television plays directed by Chris Muir