Peter Sellers Film Banned By S. Africa

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30221, 28 August 1963, Page 7

Peter Sellers Film Banned By S. Africa

(NZ.P. A.-Reuter—Copyright)

LONDON, Aug. 26. South Africa has banned a British film because seven scenes show a Negro on equal terms with white men. The film is “Heavens Above,” produced by the Boulting Brothers. Peter Sellers plays an idealistic vicar in the film, “The Times” reported. He chooses as his church-warden a Negro dustman, named Matthew, played by the American, Brock Peters. British Lion Films said tonight that unless the seven scenes were removed ths film would not be allowed into South Africa. The decision had been made by the South African Department of Interior through the Board of Censors in Cape Town. The offending scenes are listed by the censor as: the vicar and Matthew having tea together; the vicar helping Matthew off with his coat; Matthew sitting with whites' at table; Matthew at the font at a christening: Matthew sitting at table at a christening party; Matthew at the head of the table at same party; Matthew at the church door saying to white women: “That's all right, sweetheart.” The Boulting Brothers have refused to make any cuts. Mr Roy Boulting said: “If the censor imagines that we are a sort of detergent that drives the black out of films and forces white in he is very much mistaken. '

“We gather that there is no possible appeal against the censor’s decision. In all matters relating to apartheid he has the final word.”