Watch John Wycliffe: The Morning Star

John Wycliffe: The Morning Star is a historical drama film that delves into the life and times of John Wycliffe, a 14th-century theologian, scholar, and religious reformer who is often credited with starting the Protestant Reformation in England. The movie depicts Wycliffe's struggles against the corrupt Catholic Church, his efforts to translate the Bible into English, and his unwavering commitment to the principles of Christianity.

The film opens with Wycliffe, played by Michael Bertenshaw, as a young man studying theology at Oxford University. He is a devout Catholic, but he becomes increasingly disillusioned with the Church's corrupt practices, such as the selling of indulgences and the collection of tithes. He begins to advocate for reform and eventually becomes a leading figure in the Lollardy movement, a group of loyal Catholics who sought to reform the Church from within.

Wycliffe's most significant contribution to the Church was his translation of the Bible into the English language. At the time, the Bible was only available in Latin, and most people were illiterate and unable to read it. Wycliffe believed that every Christian should have access to the Bible in their own language, so he spent years translating it into English. This was a significant task and required him to learn Hebrew and Greek, but he succeeded in his efforts.

However, the Catholic Church saw Wycliffe's translation as a threat to their authority. They believed that only the Church could interpret the Bible, and they feared that Wycliffe's translation would lead to dissent and rebellion among the common people. The Church launched a campaign against Wycliffe, and he was eventually forced to flee to the countryside to escape persecution.

The film does an excellent job of portraying Wycliffe's steadfast faith in the face of persecution. He continued to preach and teach, even though his life was in danger, and he was eventually put on trial for heresy. Wycliffe argued that he was not trying to start a new Church but was only seeking to reform the existing one. He was found guilty, but he died before he could be punished.

The film's screenplay, written by John Cooper, is based on historical records and provides a realistic portrayal of the social and political climate of the 14th century. The dialogue is rich and compelling, and the actors' performances are excellent. Michael Bertenshaw is able to convey Wycliffe's deep conviction and spiritualism, while James Downie, who plays Wycliffe's assistant, is able to convey the excitement and sense of discovery that Wycliffe's translation project produced.

The film's visual style is also noteworthy. Director Tony Tew captures the period's essence with his use of authentic locations, costumes, and props. The cinematography is excellent, and the lighting and color palette are used to great effect to create a mood that is both somber and inspirational.

Overall, John Wycliffe: The Morning Star is an excellent film that provides a glimpse into the life and times of one of the most significant religious figures of the 14th century. The film explores relevant themes such as religious freedom, corruption, and the struggle for social justice, making it an ideal educational tool for students and anyone interested in church history. Highly Recommended.

John Wycliffe: The Morning Star is a 1984 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 15 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.8.