Library hosts film and discussion Oct. 27 on Thomas Paine

WARWICK — Explore the history of the most misunderstood man in American history: Thomas Paine.
Albert Wisner Public Library will host a screening of "To Begin the World Over Again: The Life of Thomas Paine" on Friday, Oct. 27, at 7 p.m.
The film will be followed by a discussion led by Roger Moss.
Released in 2016 and written with the oversight of five distinguished Paine scholars, the film has garnered attention from the Los Angeles Times (“Unmistakable topicality and human interest infuses ‘To Begin the World Over Again’ … The essence of Paine emerges”) to ShowMag.com (“It’s as if Paine has been brought to back life just to speak to us”).
The film was written by Ian Ruskin, who plays Paine, and is narrated by award-winning actor Elliott Gould. It captures a man and his vision of democracy during the birth of our nation.
Thomas Paine helped shape our national character and even today inspires us to be better guardians of that legacy. He based his beliefs on one simple yet powerful idea, “justice for all.”
Paine’s book, "Common Sense," was a spark that ignited the American Revolution and remains in print today more than 200 years later.
Paine wrote about ideas that were so controversial he was often imprisoned and fined, and almost executed. His works were banned in Europe and anyone who distributed, read or discussed his books faced prosecution.
Some were arrested for simply displaying a portrait of Paine. In the late 1700’s, he fled to the United States where he continued to write about slavery, religion and independence from British government.
• Registration is required to attend the program.
• To register, visit albertwisnerlibrary.org or call the Library at 986-1047 ext. 3.