Fred Zinnemann directs Paul Scofield, Wendy Hiller and Robert Shaw in this tale of the state persecution of Thomas More, who refused to comment on Henry VIII’s second divorce. 

Fans of Wolf Hall will absorb this classy earlier take on that cracking true drama. The bonus here is the breadth of the playbill – with tons of great parts (maximum weight Welles, a terrifyingly young John Hurt, a gregarious yet vicious Robert Shaw) all orbiting the ever marvellous Scofield. His calm, stately performance warps the rhythm of the events and machinations. He quietly dominates, determining that this aged Oscar sweeper actually still feels really valid.

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