The Man Without a Country (1973 film)

The Man Without a Country is a made-for-television movie adaptation of the 1863 novella of the same name by Edward Everett Hale. Produced in 1973, it starred Cliff Robertson as Lieutenant Philip Nolan, the American army officer who renounces his country during a treason trial.

The film adheres closely to the plot of Hale's original story. Nolan, disaffected and caught up in the Burr conspiracy, famously declares "Damn the United States! I wish I may never hear of the United States again!" His wish is tragically granted when he is sentenced to spend the rest of his days aboard naval vessels, never to set foot on American soil or hear news from his homeland.

Robertson's performance is central to the film, portraying Nolan's initial arrogance and subsequent decades of regret and longing for the country he rejected. The movie follows Nolan's journey through isolation and introspection as he witnesses the growth of the nation he can only observe from afar. He becomes a respected figure among the crews he lives with, secretly dedicating himself to the American cause.

The film emphasizes themes of patriotism, redemption, and the importance of national identity. Like the novella, it is a cautionary tale about the consequences of disloyalty and the enduring power of love for one's country.

While primarily a television film, The Man Without a Country has been shown in schools and remains a recognizable adaptation of Hale's classic American story. It is considered a faithful rendition of the source material, effectively capturing the emotional weight of Nolan's self-imposed exile.