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John Wayne built his legendary career on Westerns, starring in genre-defining classics like Stagecoach, The Searchers and True Grit. So when he was asked to name his favorite movie of all time, most fans probably expected another frontier epic.
Instead, the Oscar-winning actor chose a historical drama. According to MovieWeb, Wayne ranked 1966's A Man for All Seasons as his all-time favorite film when he shared his five favorite movies for The People's Almanac Volume II in 1977.
John Wayne's Surprising No. 1 Pick
Wayne's handwritten list included several familiar titles, including two of his own films — Stagecoach and The Quiet Man — both directed by his longtime friend and collaborator John Ford.
But sitting at the very top of the list was A Man for All Seasons, a critically acclaimed historical drama starring Paul Scofield as Sir Thomas More.
Based on Robert Bolt's award-winning play, the film follows More as he refuses to support King Henry VIII's break from the Catholic Church so the king can remarry. Faced with imprisonment and the threat of execution, More must choose between preserving his life and remaining true to his principles.
Why 'A Man for All Seasons' Resonated With Wayne
According to MovieWeb, Wayne's choice may offer a revealing glimpse into the values that guided him both on and off the screen.
The publication noted that Wayne's conservative beliefs often put him at odds with a changing Hollywood during the 1960s and 1970s. A story centered on a man willing to sacrifice everything rather than abandon his convictions likely struck a deeply personal chord.
While the film couldn't be more different from the Westerns that made Wayne famous, its themes of honor, courage and standing by one's principles echoed many of the qualities he admired throughout his career.
Released in 1966, A Man for All Seasons was one of the year's biggest critical successes. The film won six Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Actor for Paul Scofield's portrayal of Thomas More.
