well its true that the Woody film may not stick to the prosaic facts of history. but its Hollywood film about a communist who happened to be a genius and a hero. For once someone in the establishment was on our side.

From Ronnie Gilbert's recollection of the man - maybe the facts would have uncomfortable watching.

But at least its about someone who gave his talents freely to the world - not some money grubbing monetarist like Thatcher or Gordon Gecko. I'm tired of films making out those sort of people to be heroes.

when the film came out it was not widely available. I saw it in a small arts cinema near Birmingham university. so a lot of people who might have liked to see it - maybe now is their first chance. I remember also in that little arts cinema that day was Nick Fenwick -Geordie folksinger who was teaching in Brum at the time, very talented guy - whatever happened to........?