Sir, - I was delighted to learn that Neil Jordan's film, Michael Collins, has won the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival, and that Liam Neeson, who plays the title role, has been awarded the prize for best actor.
Americans will be able to see this film next month, and it is to be released in many mainland European countries at the same time. We in Britain must wait until our Government deems it safe to show it here. It appears that after this troubled summer in Northern Ireland, there are fears of unrest when British cinemagoers learn the truth about British activities in Ireland 70 years ago.
May I request any members of the Dail, who might have contacts or friends in the British Government, to inform them that many of us in Britain already know quite a lot about the British problem with Ireland. We should like those responsible for the sensitive decision about when the British pubic are to be permitted to see this film, to know that seeing it will not cause us to be unruly inside or outside the cinema, and that we are heartily weary of being treated like children when it comes to the dosage of information on Ireland. I, for one, intend going to Berlin to see it in October. - Yours, etc.
Yarrell Mansions,
Queens Club Gardens,
West Kensington,
London W14.