The 2003 film “Luther” dramatizes the life of Martin Luther, a 16th-century German monk who ignited the Protestant Reformation. The movie portrays Luther’s spiritual struggles, his growing disillusionment with the Catholic Church’s practice of selling indulgences, and his eventual defiance against the Pope and Holy Roman Emperor. It highlights his emphasis on the primacy of Scripture, his translation of the Bible into German for the common people, and his unwavering conviction in the face of excommunication and persecution, ultimately showing how his theological ideas led to a profound religious and political upheaval in Europe.
This film champions the foundational conservative value of individual conscience and the courage to stand against institutional corruption and overreach, as epitomized by Luther’s defiance against the powerful Catholic Church. It underscores the importance of adherence to foundational texts (the Bible) as a source of truth and authority. Furthermore, the movie implicitly celebrates the concept of religious freedom and the right to individual interpretation of faith, which are key pillars of conservative thought on civil liberties and the role of religion in society.
