The Man Who Might Have Been: An Inquiry Into the Life and Death of Herbert Norman

Overview

On April 4, 1957, Herbert Norman, the Canadian ambassador to Egypt, leapt to his death from a Cairo rooftop. During his remarkable life, Norman helped set the course of post-war Japan and played a key role during the Suez crisis. But with all of his talents and achievements, there was something haunting Herbert Norman and following him to every corner of the globe: the accusation that he was a Soviet spy. This documentary takes us back to a time when the Cold War was heating up and when the mere accusation of communist sympathies could destroy a man's career. Using de-classified documents, interviews with key players and dramatizations filmed around the world, the film reconstructs the ordeal that Norman endured for seven long years, as a US Senate subcommittee relentlessly probed his past beliefs and current loyalties.

Details

Status

Released

Release date

January 19, 1999

Original language

English

Director

John Kramer

Writer

John Kramer

Producer

Louise Lore,Gerry Flahive

Cinematography

Andreas Poulsson

Music

Mark Korven

Budget

Not recorded

Revenue

Not recorded

IMDb

tt0227022