Martin Luther, Heretic (1983 TV Movie)

Jonathan Pryce: Luther

Quotes 

• Martin Luther : Tell me what to do, Father.

  Father Staupitz : Eat more food, get more sleep, and learn more about God.

• Martin Luther : The pope may speak the truth, but it's not truth because the pope speaks it.

• Chancellor : Martin Luther, I ask you for the last time: Do you retract your writings and the errors they contain?

  Martin Luther : Since your imperial majesty asks for a simple answer, I will give a simple answer. Unless I am convinced of my error by the evidence of the Scriptures or by plain reason, I cannot and I will not retract anything. I do not trust either popes or councils. It's not safe to act against one's conscience, and my conscience is captive to the word of God. Here I stand, so help me God.

• Martin Luther : The interpretation of the Scripture is a task to be undertaken by the whole body of the church, by all believing Christians.

  Johann Eck : By all believing Christians? And do all believing Christians agree with one another? Ha! Never in a thousand years. That is why the church in her wisdom ordains that ultimate authority rests with the pope.

• Martin Luther : [narrating]  As I studied, this was the question to which I kept returning: what is true repentance? How can I be sorry for sin when I never stop sinning? As I chased words through the Bible, I began to make discoveries. This was how, slowly at first, light began to break into my prison: through a window of words.

• Georg Spalatin : We think that Rome would consider a compromise, if you would. So much national feeling mixed up in this.

  Martin Luther : What sort of compromise?

  Georg Spalatin : The key seems to be this question of authority. We thought perhaps you could make a statement affirming your belief in duly appointed authority. You do believe in authority, don't you?

  Martin Luther : Duly appointed authority, yes. I also happen to believe that that excludes the entire hierarchy of the Roman Church.

  Georg Spalatin : No need to go into detail...

• Martin Luther : Father, can you look with open eyes at the corrupted Church of Rome and call it Christendom?

  Father Staupitz : Yes, that's not so difficult. I can look with open eyes at the corrupted human race, you see, and call it mankind. It's all we've got.