24 JANUARY 1987, Page 21

Flynn not Reagan

Sir: Christopher Buckley should re-view The Santa Fe Trail (`Reagan out of con- trol', 3 January). The part of Custer is played by Errol Flynn, not Ronald Reagan. Reagan plays Jeb Stewart.

A more interesting exchange from the film than the one quoted is when the two heroes have received orders to destroy an unarmed Indian village, composed only of women, children and old men. Custer, hungry for scalps, has no problem with this: 'My country right or wrong.' The Gipper, however, is deeply upset and agonises: 'Surely there are times when a man cannot simply follow orders, but must follow his own moral conscience.'

W. J. Roebuck

British High Commision, PO Box 4490, Harare, Zimbabwe