Martin Luther

This five-part East German biographical drama chronicles the life and religious reforms of Martin Luther, the 16th-century monk who sparked the Protestant Reformation. Produced by DEFA Studios for East German television to commemorate Luther's 500th birthday, the series follows Luther from his early protests against the Catholic Church's sale of indulgences in 1517 through his translation of the Bible.

Drama

Seasons

1. Der Protest

Air Date: 1983-10-09

It is the year 1517, the Dominican Johann Tetzel travels through the country and sells indulgences. Having arrived near Wittenberg, he hopes to bring indulgences to the people. But Elector Frederick the Wise refused to enter his country. Dr. Luther.

2. The Son of Wickedness

Air Date: 1983-10-13

It is the year 1518. Luther's theses and writings spread throughout the country and he gained followers. Luther was ordered to go to Augsburg and he actually went. There he is asked by Cardinal Cajetan to revoke his theses, but he does not follow the call.

3. The Secrets of the Antichrist

Air Date: 1983-10-16

Luther recognizes that the pope must be the antichrist, and makes this preach. The burying bull, which Johannes Eck demanded and made with the pope, he burns with his followers at the gates of the city Wittenberg. On this occasion, they sing Luther's new song. A firm fortress is our God.

4. Here I stand...

Air Date: 1983-10-20

It is the year 1521. Luther, quoted before the Reichstag in Worms, stands there before Emperor Charles V. Again he is invited to revoke what he denied. The Emperor acts and imposes the power of the Reich over him. On his way back to Wittenberg, Luther was sent to the Wartburg on behalf of his sovereign, Elector Friedrich, under the command of Berlepsch. In this hiding place, Luther translated the New Testament into German. In Wittenberg there are riots. Wittenberg citizens, who are under the influence of Karlstadt, have devastated the churches. They have destroyed the images and statues of saints. The horrified Luther hurriedly returned to Wittenberg and helped restore order.

5. Conscience

Air Date: 1983-10-23

The last episode deals with the years 1523 to 1527. Luther marries the former nun Katharina von Bora. In the south of the empire, peasant revolts occur. Luther's former supporter, Thomas Müntzer, advocates the uprisings and continues to fuel them. Luther opposes Thomas Müntzer and the rebellious peasants. The peasant revolts, which were later described by the history of the GDR as a so-called "bourgeois revolution", fail. Thomas Müntzer is trained. In Wittenberg the plague breaks out, and Luther too feels sick and ill. The filming ends with Luther, who has regained strength, and knows that the Reformation is endangered by war.

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