I COULD not agree more with the Damon Smith (The Press, February 21) about The King’s Speech – it has to be the best film to hit the big screen in a long time.

Full of mixed emotions, not having to rely on gratuitous violence, built around a simple story, one wonders why it was not thought of years ago. If Colin Firth does not get a Oscar for his brilliant performance, I will eat my hat.

Black Swan, on the other hand, another film that aroused my interest, and Natalie Portman’s excellent portrayal of a fragile ballerina’s fate, I found quite depressing.

It would without doubt put any young budding ballerina off even wanting to break into that world.

While the British film industry can still come up with the goods, whatever happened to aspiring musicians in this country?

If it were not for singer-songwriters such as the brilliant Amy Winehouse and Adele, the top 20 would be dominated by gangster rap trash.

Come on British teenagers, where is your musical talent? Get together with some mates to form a band, like The Beatles and the Stones did 50 years ago.

Bob Waite, Holgate, York.