Sir, - I have read in the papers that I am planning a film about Bishop Casey. Needless to say, none of the reporters concerned called me to check the facts - the truth would have spoilt the story. Once it is in print, other journalists feel free to run the piece with additional embellishments: "Annette Benning is being tipped for the role." "The Church and politicians are furious."
An Irish Times journalist did call to check the story and consequently did not run the piece. In fact, I exempt The Irish Times from the strictures below.
When I was making The General one Irish paper reported that the criminal fraternity were threatening the lives of anybody who took a job on the film. This was picked up and printed in various versions by four Irish papers. When I had hired a full cast and crew and, to the disappointment of the press, they had all managed to remain alive, these resourceful journalists gave the story another twist - the criminals would burn down our sets. I hardly need to add that no one checked with me or my office or with anyone associated with the film and that at no time was anyone threatened in any way.
The Wicklow People (owned by the Independent Group) once accused me of filling my swimming pool during a drought. They sent a photographer to take a snap of it. When he found it empty he put his camera away. I sent the paper a copy of my metered water bill and asked them to retract. They refused. It cost them a lot of money in court.
When Julia Roberts fled Hollywood to hide out with a lover in Ireland the press were in a frenzy. "Where could she be? John Boorman must know her. She could be staying with him" quickly became "She is staying with him". Before long there were snappers hiding in the bushes around my house. She was actually in a B&B in the West.
I once took David Bowie to visit Madame Hume-Weygand at Humewood Castle. He was interested in Victorian Gothic architecture. She died shortly after and the estate was put up for sale. At her funeral the priest giving the eulogy mentioned the distinguished visitors she entertained, David Bowie among them. This was enough for an enterprising reporter to surmise that Bowie might be interested in buying the place. This was reprinted as: he was buying it. Bowie and I did all we could to scotch the rumour and eventually, after a good run in most of the Irish papers, it died down. Then someone on the London Times picked it up from an old Irish clipping and reprinted it. Despite the decline of the reputation of that newspaper under Murdoch, our own newspapermen were impressed. If it was in the Times it must be true. Finally their flimsy rumours had been vindicated. They regurgitated the story all over again.
More recently, Mia Farrow was living in a cottage of mine while she was shooting a movie over here. This coincided, by chance, with a visit from my friend Tom Stoppard, who has stayed with me frequently over the past 25 years - he likes to fish. The rumour mill was not slow to turn. "They're both staying with Boorman. Maybe they're having an affair," became: "they are having an affair". We were soon under siege. I had to change my phone number.
Any well-known person has similar and worse stories to tell. If you object, it just prolongs the story and invites the no-smoke-without-fire kind of response.
I know the tabloid British press is infinitely worse, and I know these incidents are harmless enough - but is it too much to expect that journalists should have a modicum of respect for the truth, or do they see themselves today as writers of imaginative fiction? - Yours, etc., John Boorman,
Annamoe, Co Wicklow.