Martin Luther: The Idea that Changed the World (2017): cast, story & where to watch

Released in 2017, Martin Luther: The Idea that Changed the World is a history and documentary film, running about 114 minutes.

What it’s about. The year 2017 marks the 500th anniversary of one on the most important events in Western civilization: the birth of an idea that continues to shape the life of every American today. In 1517, power was in the hands of the few, thought was controlled by the chosen, and common people lived lives without hope. On October 31 of that year, a penniless monk named Martin Luther sparked the revolution that would change everything. He had no army. In fact, he preached nonviolence so powerfully that — 400 years later — Michael King would change his name to Martin Luther King to show solidarity with the original movement. This movement, the Protestant Reformation, changed Western culture at its core, sparking the drive toward individualism, freedom of religion, women's rights, separation of church and state, and even free public education. Without the Reformation, there would have been no pilgrims, no Puritans, and no America in the way we know it.

Who’s in it. Martin Luther: The Idea that Changed the World stars Hugh Bonneville as Narrator (voice), Pádraic Delaney as Martin Luther and Pádraic Delaney as Martin Luther.

How it landed. With an audience score of 7.1/10, Martin Luther: The Idea that Changed the World has been warmly received by audiences.

Where to watch. In US you can stream it on PBS Documentaries Amazon Channel and rent or buy it from Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Martin Luther: The Idea that Changed the World page.

If you liked it. Fans of Martin Luther: The Idea that Changed the World tend to enjoy Schindler's List, Saving Private Ryan, Hacksaw Ridge and Green Book.