28 OCTOBER 1966, Page 16

A Donkey's Years

SIR,—As a pre-war film critic, may I say that I found Mordecai Richler's review of Balthazar in the SPECTATOR (October 21) by far the best-informed and most enlightening of all the reviews I have encountered since seeing the film myself; but why, oh why, did even he not save enough space to say: 'In the same programme is a delightful comedy entitled Le Baron de l'Ecluse, in which the ageing, but still spritely, Jean Gabin is supported by a cast which, down to the smallest bit-player, gives highly satisfactory performances,' adding that this is a film which, though missed by all the critics, is not to be missed—and should preferably be seen after Balthazar rather than before it?

JOHN BRETT

24 Clifford's Inn, London EC4