Viewers’ views

Press, 28 November 1977, Page 15

Viewers’ views

‘•The Governor” Sir, I fully support the views on “The Governor” expressed by E. Hughes, \nne Absolan and L. E. <eid. If people want to see ull frontal nudity and explicit sex let them go to the novies — it’s their choice. Jut please don’t push this ype of immorality into our iving rooms, under the ;uise of historical record. May I also ask on what ’rounds did T.V.I decide hat popular request demands a repeat of “The Governor”? For that matter what sick minds requested a repeat of that sick film “The Naked Civil Servant”? — K. O’CONNOR (Westport).

Sir.—“ The Governor” has certainly enticed the guardians of our morals out of their closets and on to the bandwaggqn. I often wonder if their letters are the result of an honest assessment, _ or whether they are written to help at one for the “hand-me-down” guilt feelings towards sex that New Zealand society inherited from its forbears. The difference between factual honesty and pornography is hardly subtle and an emotionally secure person will quietly’ welcome the former for its realism while leaving the latter for those who feel they need it. The rape scene referred to by several correspondents was hardly titillating, nor was it designed to be, lasting the few seconds that it did. Even though this is Godzone, soldiers will be soldiers and it would be naive to think that the Maori wars were a chivalrous affair 24 hours a day’. If the intention of this scene was pornographic the producer would not have included the equally forceful scene with followed where the commander of the British forces showed his utter disgust at the conduct of his troops. Further, the whole scene was balanced by the sincere astonishment of the accused at their leaders’ anger. Sickening realism? Yes. Pornography? No. The rather pathetic suggestion that toilet scenes should also be included is indicative of the Kiwi approach towards anything that shatters our sweet suburban illusions of Victorian morality. If anything their inclusion would be pornographic. Such scenes would have no point to them, nor be illustrative of any comment a producer would wish to make. History cannot be changed, however much it may embarrass, and breasts were bared as often then as they are today. I hope your correspondents are fully clothes when, and if, they venture behind their bedroom doors. — R. FRENCH-WRIGHT. Reefton.