Focus: A Film Review (1950-1951)

197 choice of film and therefore he owes them something more than a cursory outline of the film as such together with a smart remark at the expense of the producers and players. Even though he may not have the space in which to publish all he knows about the film, the critic should have taken the trouble to analyse it. He will take care to distinguish between this analysis of the film and the judgment which he himself will pass upon it. The Christian critic will judge a film completely, that is to say, he will balance it from the artistic and the moral viewpoint. With regard to religious films, M. Tallenav said that the critic who is a Catholic should be severe without being destructive. Avoiding excessive indulgence, he must deliver a verdict within the limits fixed by the authors of the films and taking into consideration their possibilities, their material and artistic limitations. The Christian film critic will remember that he is writing for a wide public that contains both Christian and non-Christian elements. He will bear in mind those others who, through his judgments, may come to know something of the mind of the Church on the various problems presented by the cinema. Among the interventions which followed J. L. Tallenay’s exposition of the theme of the Conference was one by W. J. Igoe, the dramatic and film critic so well known to Catholic readers in this country and America. Mr. Igoe made the point that the critic must above all things be true, both to himself and to the film he is criticising. Much harm is done bv films which do not tell the truth and which, therefore, mislead people about America or Britain or with whatever country or people the film may be concerned. The persons most to blame for the misinformation about these countries are the natives of those countries themselves who allow bad fiction to pass for fact. The critic, however, has his share of blame for he should be able to inform his public of the truth which the film has not told. The debate which ensued was a lively one but there is not room here to deal with the points raised ; in general critics were concerned with their freedom to be able to express their true opinions about films. This, of course, is not always easy for the writers in commercial papers where the policy of advertising or even political reasons may hamstring the critic. It was, suggested that some kind of national or perhaps international federation of film critics might be able to obtain and safeguard the literary and religious freedom of the critic in this matter. A great consolation to the assembled critics in their deliberations was the telegram received from the Vatican which came in answer to a message of filial homage and devotion imploring the Papal Blessing, sent to the Holy Father by Dr. Bernard, President of O.C.I.C. on behalf of those participating in the Study Conference. The telegram read : “His Holiness very impressed by filial homage of O.C.I.C. General Council and critics assembled for Study Conference at Lucerne. Paternally encourages positive work in the very important domain of cinematographic criticism. Sends all participants the desired Apostolic Blessing. Montini. Subst.’’ Thus yet another Papal incentive to continuation in this important but wearying work of Catholic Action came to crown the endeavours of the General Council of O.C.I.C. 1951. The excursion up the Lake of Lucerne which occupied the last day of the meeting was not, as it might sound, primarily “a day off”. Granted we had excellent hospitality from the kindly Swiss municipality at Altford, as we had had also on the Sunday from the municipality at Lucerne itself. But the eternal and everpresent urge of the Continental “to make contacts” meant that while one was trying to admire the beautiful mountain scenery an Italian gentleman would demand information about the position of children’s films in England ; then, while trying to snatch a glimpse of the obelisk which commemorates Schiller, a Frenchman would demand to know what the English thought of Dieu a besoin des hommcs ; and so on, and so on. The outcome of it all is that anyone who blithely steps into the doorway marked “Catholic Film Action” abandons for ever in this world the hope of a quiet half hour. May God bless them all! J. A. V. Burke.