wfn.org | 'Luther' To Premiere In Theaters September 26

[NEWS@ELCA.ORG]

ELCA NEWS SERVICE

July 11, 2003

'Luther' To Premiere In Theaters September 26
03-146-JAC*

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- "Luther," a motion picture about the life
of Martin Luther, will be released nationwide Sept. 26 in
theaters.  Co-produced by Minneapolis-based Thrivent Financial
for Lutherans and Neue Filmproduktion of Berlin, the film will
open in more than 300 theaters in 45 major markets.
     Luther, a German church reformer, wrote 95 Theses, a series
of statements outlining Luther's disagreements with church policy
at that time.	The film features Luther's life after he posted
the 95 Theses on the door of a church and the papacy put a bounty
on his head, regarding Luther as dangerous.
     "This film offers an entertaining, up-close look at Luther
and his passion for truth," said Dennis Clauss, co-executive
producer of the movie and Thrivent Financial for Lutherans'
church and community project leader.  "The movie captures with
historical integrity the magnitude of Martin Luther's life,
helping viewers understand his significance to the Lutheran faith
and to world history."
     The movie was shot on more than 100 sets in 20 locations
throughout Germany, Italy and the Czech Republic.  The film stars
Joseph Fiennes ("Shakespeare in Love," "Enemy at the Gates"),
Alfred Molina ("Frida," "Chocolat"), and two-time Oscarr winner
Peter Ustinov ("Spartacus," "Topkapi").
     Thrivent Financial for Lutherans is a not-for-profit Fortune
500 financial services organization with nearly 3 million
members.
-- -- --
     Information about Thrivent Financial for Lutherans can be
found at http://www.thrivent.com on the Web.
     Information about "Luther" is posted at
http://www.lutherthemovie.com on the Web.

* Jessica A. Crane is completing her bachelor of arts degree at
Concordia College, Moorhead, Minn.  This summer she is an intern
with ELCA News and Media Production.

For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or news@elca.org
http://www.elca.org/news