HISTORICAL FILMS.

Waikato Times, Volume 119, Issue 19901, 2 June 1936, Page 9

HISTORICAL FILMS.

A PLEA FOR TRUTH. WORKS OF AUTHORS SPOILED. The secretary of the Good Film League of New South Wales writes to Sydney Sun as follows— Educationists, parents and citizens’ associations and other organisations affiliated with the Good Film League are perturbed at the tendency of film producers to pervert history and spoil the works of great authors. The shades of those who contributed to making such history—including Shakespeare, Dickens, and Thackeray —would rise in wrath if they could see modern screen presentations of their works. Not only are such untruthful; they are unfair and cowardly, for the writers so traduced cannot defend themselves. Why do not producers give us truthful versions of the stories screened? Fact is stranger than llction and infinitely more interesting. Patrons of the class attracted to such pictures by their historical titles and characters, with teachers who escort whole schools of children, are badly “let down.” This disappointing and short-sighted policy eventually must cause box-ofilce reverses. This warning should be sent lo Hollywood, to British studios, and lo the growing industry in Australia. Unless we get truer presentation of history the censors’ powers must be extended and directed by the Federal Government, even though it bo necessary for the board to co-opt expert advice. The millions of viewers are naturally under influences that tend to mould our national character. It is urgently necessary, therefore, to treat Hie matter as one of national importMy league’s council will welcome any help and co-operation from interested lovers of history and good literature.