5 movies to watch on Reformation Day

By Michael Gryboski, Mainline Church Editor Tuesday, October 31, 2023

'Martin Luther' (1953)

A scene from the 1953 movie 'Martin Luther,' starring Niall MacGinnis as the Protestant Reformation leader. — A scene from the 1953 movie "Martin Luther," starring Niall MacGinnis as the Protestant Reformation leader. | Screengrab: YouTube/Vision Video

Starring Niall MacGinnis as the Protestant Reformation leader and directed by Irving Pichel, the Lutheran Church-produced “Martin Luther” was a historical drama that followed the life of the figure from his entry into the Augustinian order in 1505 to the Augsburg Confession in 1530.

The movie received two Academy Award nominations in 1954, one for Best Cinematography for Joseph C. Brun and the other for Best Art Direction-Set Decoration for Fritz Maurischat and Paul Markwitz.

“It does get off to a slow start; the first couple of minutes are more documentary than drama. But when we get introduced to Niall MacGinnis as Luther, his brilliant portrayal sweeps us into the story,” wrote Jon Dykstra of Reformed Perspective.

“MacGinnis captures all the contradictions of the man – even as the Reformer stands before the Diet of Worms strong and defiant he is distraught and trembling. This is certainly among the best Christian films ever made.”