“I Claudius”

Press, 9 November 1978, Page 16

“I Claudius”

Sir, The Bishop’s letter informs us that the decadence shown in “I Clauiius” is indeed a reflection on our own civilisation. Several others have registered disgust, and some even urged us to turn our sets off. Admittedly, some of the scenes are disturbing, but they portray an age where homosexuality, incest, drunkenness and terror were not uncommon, and they do so accurately. Not all. unchoice parts can be implied, so that one must rely on subtle hints to realise all that is going on. I, myself, as a fifth form student in Latin find “I Claudius” of excellent value in all aspects of the life and customs section of the exam. It agrees completely with the works of classical scholars on the topic of life in ancient Rome. — Yours, etc., A. G. PALMER. November 7, 1978.

Sir, — One is disappointed that, after all that has happened, and all that has not happened, in New Zealand over the last three years, the Bishop’s letter should be a criticism of a television programme about the rulers of ancient Rome. — Yours, etc.. JOHN BALNEAVES. November 7, 1978. Sir, — I wish to add my very strong protest to that of Bishop Pyatt about the gory, inhuman episodes in last week’s broadcast of “I Claudius.” But I would hesitate to condemn TV2 for rej ’cing in such presentation. If there is some censorship exercised on these films someon. slipped up badly in not reporting the execrable nature of this presentation. Any child who was unfortunate enough to view this trauma would almost certainly follow up with traumatic nightmares. Strict censorship is surely called for with dubious films of this nature. — Yours, etc.. L. E. REID. November 6, 1978. Sir, — J. Southern, Hazel Kenny, myself and others can turn off a television switch, but how many of your correspondents have taught in our primary schools, suffering the feedback from highly impressionable young children, who nightly absorb adult fare until 10 and 11 o’clock? Let us leave the stomach-turning degradations in their proper place, which is in historical recttrds in libraries for adult research. Give the kids a chance: they don’t deserve us,, and our morbidities. — Yours, etc., LORNA ANKER. November 7, 1978. Sir, — I note with interest, but not surprise, that Bishop Pyatt has found that his faith in the good taste of those who purchase films for TV, has been misplaced. I find it naive, to say the least, to imagine that good taste will prevail, if the incentive, whatever it be, to abandon it is strong enough.

I venture to suggest that he, with others, will find his faith in the honest use by terrorist organisations in Africa, of the World Council of Churches’ grant for the relief of refugees, is equally misplaced. His criticism of TV2 News is also suspect, since TVI is frequently more sensational. particularly where political capital cart be made. As to his slighting remarks about. Miss Goodwin’s announcing, it is a pleasure to listen to and look at someone so attractive and well-spoken. Would he prefer Fred Dagg? — Yours, etc., L. ANDERSON. November 6, 1978. Sir, —- What sanctimonious humbug is being written about “I Claudius.” I congratulate TV2 and the 8.8. C. for screening such a programme. 1 go further. Please rescreen it and make it compulsory viewing for all those who support widespread abortion and condone homosexuality, lesbianism, incest, and W.C.C. financial support to Communist guerrillas in Rhodesia. It is about time it was brought home to people just exactlj' w'hat they are supporting, or condoning, or shutting their eyes to — the ripping of babies from their mothers’ wombs; the raping, bayoneting and murder of a four-year-old Rhodesian plane crash survivor. More sick still are the many TV programmes screened without protest telling us the above obscenities are an acceptable norm. Incidentally, recently the world buried one of the leaders of the dreaded Mau Mau with pomp and honour — and we point a finger at ancient Rome. — Yours, etc., E. SUTHERLAND. November 7, 1978. Sir, —- Unlike the Anglican Bishop of Christchurch, I cannot see how the last episode of “I Claudius” could be detrimental to ina telligent, emotionally stable adults: the other sort would have given up watching the series by this episode, but this is not to say that all intelligent, emotionally stable adults like “I Claudius.” Humanity does spew out its Caligulas from time to time and far from condoning his degeneracy, this episode was a subtle comment on what can happen when another mad tyrant rules by fear. Caligula’s insane beastliness was balanced by Claudius’s sanity and Antonia’s ultimate protest. “I Claudius” might not be pure history but it is a “good” book made into a “good” series, and its comment on the range of characters does not seem to date. I feel only if we are not sickened - and horrified by Caligula’s aberrations, should we worry about the state of our mind. — Yours, TERESA MACINTYRE. November 6, 1978. Sir, — I have been slightly surprised by the letters about an episode in “I Claudius.” Do the writers believe that “I Claudius” does more harm in the real sense than a "comedy” series like “Hogan’s Heroes” which ran, as far as I know, without adverse comment? — Yours, etc., SADIE G. BALKIND. November 7, 1978. Sir, — As a boy I lived in an ordinary home with ordinary parents. I went to see films of cowboys and Indians fighting among themselves with fists, knives, bows and arrows and guns. The Pathe News showed the latest in the gangster wars in the United States and the atrocities of the Italo-Abyssinia War. These films may have worried me at the time but they certainly did not cause me to be aggressive in later life. But what did scare the pants off me and cause much misery in my early life was the fear of being left an orphan, and having some horrible witch or wicked stepmother take care of me, as depicted in nearly every book of child-

ren’s stories. Whenever these appeared, I closed my eyes and shut my ears. I recommend it for sensitive folk who dislike violence. — Yours, etc., L. TYNE. November 8, 1978. [This correspondence is now closed. —- Editor.]