The Man Who Might Have Been: An Inquiry Into the Life and Death of Herbert Norman (1999)

The Man Who Might Have Been: An Inquiry Into the Life and Death of Herbert Norman (1999) poster

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.

Director: John Kramer
Runtime: 98 min
Release Date:

Screenplay

Music: Mark Korven
Cinematography: Andreas Poulsson
Editing: David Kazala
Original Language: en
More Films by Director: John Kramer

Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Man Who Might Have Been: An Inquiry Into the Life and Death of Herbert Norman about?
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.
Who directed The Man Who Might Have Been: An Inquiry Into the Life and Death of Herbert Norman?
The Man Who Might Have Been: An Inquiry Into the Life and Death of Herbert Norman was directed by John Kramer.
How long is The Man Who Might Have Been: An Inquiry Into the Life and Death of Herbert Norman?
The Man Who Might Have Been: An Inquiry Into the Life and Death of Herbert Norman has a runtime of 1h 38m (98 minutes).