Sir, - Declan Moriarty (March 27th) argues that the film A Clockwork Orange ought to have remained banned because in a violent society the depiction and possible glamorisation of violence on screen can only encourage impressionable young people to go out and commit further acts of violence. This entirely misses the point of the film.
A Clockwork Orange poses the question: is it better to be conditioned to be good than to choose to be bad? By banning such a film as this, we would be consenting to the former view, ignoring the ills in our society that drive people towards violence for their "kicks", as well as depreciating man's right to free choice. This in itself is a form of violence, and two wrongs, as we all know, do not make a right.
If we are to truly combat violence in society, I believe we must re-educate youth on what is appropriate behaviour in a community, not drive films such as A Clockwork Orange underground. Censorship, if anything, only adds to the glamour of violence. - Yours, etc.,
Neil Bristow, Clontarf, Dublin 3.