Lebanon County Thrivent Financial for Lutherans will present a free showing of the 1953 classic movie “Martin Luther” on Monday, October 26^th at 6 pm at the Allen Theater in Annville. Door prizes will be given away.

Martin Luther, who was born in 1483, vowed to become a monk after a lightning bolt nearly hit him.  Later, as a priest, he started speaking out against what he saw as corruption within the Roman Catholic Church.  He listed his criticisms of the Catholic Church as “95 Theses” and nailed the list to a church door in Wittenberg, Germany.  The Catholic Church condemned him as a heretic and excommunicated him.  He died in 1546.  The reformation movement he began gave rise to many other Protestant denominations in addition to Lutheranism.

The film stars Niall MacGinnis and was nominated for two Academy Awards including Best (Black-and-White) Cinematography.

Thanks to a splendid performance by Mr. MacGinnis, under the direction of Irving Pichel, a man of strong will and ardent nature is portrayed in the title role. This Martin Luther is a titan, full of courage and integrity. He is supported by men of equal fiber, as revealed in supporting roles. John Ruddock is personally temperate but intellectually severe as the Vicar von Staupitz, and Philip Leaver is sharp and cynical as Pope Leo X. Pierre Lefevre as Luther's good friend, Spalatin, David Horne as Duke Frederick of Saxony, and Guy Verney as Melanchton also appear.

The picture was filmed entirely in various parts of Western Germany and in the Weisbaden studios.