5 movies to watch on Reformation Day

By Michael Gryboski, Mainline Church Editor Tuesday, October 31, 2023

'God’s Outlaw' (1986)

A scene from the 1986 movie 'God's Outlaw,' in which Roger Rees plays the role of William Tyndale. — A scene from the 1986 movie "God's Outlaw," in which Roger Rees plays the role of William Tyndale. | Screengrab: YouTube/Vision Video

The movie “God’s Outlaw” centers on the life of William Tyndale, the 16th century Protestant figure who was martyred for his efforts to translate the Latin Bible into English.

“God’s Outlaw” starred Roger Rees as Tyndale, Bernard Archard as Sir. Thomas More, Keith Barron as King Henry VIII, and Willoughby Goddard as Cardinal Thomas Wolsey.

The Christian entertainment review website Dove said “God’s Outlaw” was “dramatic and inspiring,” adding that the film “shows the difference that one man’s life can make.”

“Roger Rees gives a strong performance as the kind, but determined, William Tyndale, who wanted men to find Christ and believed that faith in God’s grace brings salvation. He often got into trouble for making controversial statements,” stated Dove.

“Tyndale’s final prayer was that the king would have his eyes opened, and when the king, a year following Tyndale’s death, ordered every church to display one volume of Tyndale’s English Bible, his prayer was answered.”