5 APRIL 1997, Page 28

Film noir

Sir: I write to congratulate Frederick Forsyth on his brilliant article, 'Impatient with The English Patient' (29 March). I agree with every word. Persuaded by all the hype that this was one film which we simply must see, my wife and I duly went along. After only 20 minutes I wanted to leave but my wife persuaded me to stay on. It was a mistake. The rest of the film was even worse than the first 20 minutes.

The plot was almost unintelligible and so ridiculous that it was completely unbeliev- able. Moreover at times the photography was so dark that it was almost impossible to see what was happening. In my lifetime I have of course seen hundreds and hundreds of films. I can honestly say that I have never seen a worse one.

Hilary Eccles-Williams

36 St Bernard's Road, Solihull