THE GLORY OF SPORT

New Zealand Listener, Volume 19, Issue 490, 12 November 1948, Page 25

THE GLORY OF SPORT

To the Editor-Sir,-I have used both of your film criti¢s as a guide to current films, and find the reviews interesting. In general I concur with the judgment given, and I had been hoping your present critic would review the Olympic Games film, . In spite of his self-confessed ignorance of athletics, I consider he hit the nail on the head in every point raised, and I should be glad to add some additional ones(1) The classic 1500 metres flat race was not shown at all. (2) Similarly,. the 10,000 metres, 800 metres, men’s stead and discus were omitted. (3) Far too’ much was shown of compatitors who were eventually unplaced, This

(4) (5) was particularly evident in the iceskating, where one girl was, after quite a poor exhibition, placed 19th; and in the high jump (men’s) where the winner was seen, only once, from somewhete near the top of the stadium. For an international competition far too much mention was made’ of British athletes who were eventually found to be only mediocre. In the swimming, the y men’s events shown were the breaststroke and backstroke. Where was the classic 100 metres sprint? Your reviewer’s criticism of the photography is quite correct. No one would ever want to see the 100-metres dash from the tape, and certainly not in slow motion. — It seems to me that whoever was responsible for the photography and compilation of the track events for this ‘film knew nothing about athletics. RUNNER (Christchurch).