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1966 historical drama recounting the story of how Sir Thomas More stood up to King Henry VIII
A Man for All Seasons

A Man for All Seasons is a 1966 British biographical drama film in Technicolor based on Robert Bolt's play of the same name and adapted for the big screen by Bolt himself. It was released on 12 December 1966. It was directed by Fred Zinnemann, who had previously directed the films High Noon and From Here to Eternity.

Cast and Crew

John HurtRichard Rich
Leo McKernThomas Cromwell
Paul ScofieldSir Thomas More
Robert ShawKing Henry VIII
Orson WellesCardinal Wolsey

Video Products

A Man for All Seasons, 10 Feb 2004
Widescreen
A Man for All Seasons (Special Edition) (1966), 20 Feb 2007

Articles

Freedom's Flicks: The 20 Best Libertarian Movies of all Time, Nov 1999
The Orange County Register picks movies for "freedom lovers"
2. A Man for All Seasons (1966). St. Thomas More is beheaded for opposing the tyranny of Henry VIII. Best libertarian moment: Just before his execution, More utters a final sentence of defiance against the tyrant: 'I die His Majesty's good servant, but God's first.'
No Right to Remain Silent, by Sheldon Richman, 25 Jun 2004
Discusses the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Hiibel v. Sixth Judicial District Court of Nevada, that compelling people to identify themselves if requested to do so by police does not violate the Fourth or Fifth Amendments
This was best captured in Robert Bolt's play, A Man for All Seasons, about Sir Thomas More ... When another character, William Roper, says he'd abolish the protections of law to nab the Devil, More replies, "Oh? And when the last law was down, and the Devil turned round on you — where would you hide, Roper, the laws all being flat? This country's planted thick with laws from coast to coast — man's laws, not God's — and if you cut them all down — and you're just the man to do it — d'you really think you could stand upright in the winds that would blow then? Yes, I'd give the Devil benefit of law, for my own safety's sake."

Reviews

UpdA Man For All Seasons (1966), by Stephen W. Carson
In this masterful telling of the true story of one man who stood up to the State, merely by refusing to change his mind, there are numerous timely elements. ... But the most disturbing aspect is well summarized in the words of Randolph Bourne ... It is merely [More's] refusal to enthusiastically assent to the actions of the State that brings wrath down on him.

The introductory paragraph uses material from the Wikipedia article "A Man for All Seasons (1966 film)" as of 4 Oct 2018, which is released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0.