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The writer and producer explains the two versions of the Luther movie

The writer and producer explains the two versions of the Luther movie

Last updated on: April 17, 2017 at 5:45 am by Gene Veith

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The writer and producer explains the two versions of the Luther movie 2017-04-14T13:53:44-04:00 Gene Veith

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We reviewed the new dramatized documentary, Martin Luther: The Idea That Changed the World, and then expressed puzzlement when we learned that it existed in another version, A Return to Grace: The Life and Legacy of Martin Luther.

In the comments and on FaceBook, we discussed why there are two versions, with the latter being the version screened in Wisconsin Synod churches. We did a lot of speculation about whether there were fellowship issues or theological concerns behind the changes that were made.

I am very grateful that the writer and producer of the film, Mark Trinklein, weighed in at the comments. He explained why there are two versions. He said that the movie was, in fact, designed for multiple versions and that they are planning new ones for Europeans, Chinese, grade schoolers, and other kinds of audiences. He did say that they denied the request of a television network to “remove the religious material”!

Also weighing in was Rev. Mark Schroeder, the president of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod. His comment is worth a separate post, which we will post tomorrow.

Again we see that we should always “put the best construction on everything.” Read Mr. Trinklein’s explanation after the jump.

From Mark Trinklein, in comments to The other version of the new Luther movie:

We were quite heartened and humbled by the very positive review by Gene Veith. Indeed, Prof. Veith is one of the top Luther scholars in the world. [editor’s note: Not true, but we’ll let that pass.]

A few notes about the various versions of the film: “Martin Luther: The Idea that Changed the World” was designed to bring Luther’s story to both Lutherans and the broader culture. In discussing theology, the script was carefully written to be accessible to people who are not familiar with church language. For example, most non-religious viewers would be confused by a phrase like “justified by grace through faith alone.” So the script eases into that idea by first exploring the more universal concept of what makes a “good person.”

The overall goal is to let Luther’s theology flow naturally from the story. Viewers may not even be aware that the film is briefing them on Luther’s core teachings: grace as a gift; faith vs. works; love of neighbor; Christian freedom; the meaning of vocation; justification; sola scriptura. It’s all there, but communicated in ways that a non-religious person can connect with. At least, that is the goal.

Early on in the process, the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS) saw an opportunity to develop a version of the film that offered a deeper dive into theological matters. WELS’ vision was to create a tool that would edify and enrich WELS members and other confessional Lutherans. Commentary from additional WELS scholars was included to further illuminate finer points of confessional Lutheran doctrine. A few tangential sections (e.g. on Henry VIII, Argula von Grumbach, and Nazi appropriation of Luther’s writings) were dropped to make room. This version was titled “A Return to Grace: Luther’s Life and Legacy.”
We embraced the WELS effort as a way to serve a different audience from the more broadly targeted demographic of “Martin Luther: The Idea that Changed the World.”

In fact, adapting the film to meet the needs of different audiences is central to our strategy for this film. We produced a European version that drops American references (to the Pilgrims, for example). Nearly finished is a 30-minute version designed just for 2nd-6th graders. And we are now developing a Mandarin Chinese edition and a Spanish edition that takes into account those cultures.

At the same time, we would not create a version that compromises the film’s core message. For example, one large broadcaster wanted to air the film if we would re-edit to “remove the religious material.” We politely declined that offer.
Many hundreds of churches around the country have screened the two films. That opportunity remains available throughout 2017 for churches of any denomination.

Martin Luther: The Idea That Changed the World

Return to Grace: The Life and Legacy of Martin Luther

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