TELLING ‘SPARTANS’

Jack Mathews should be soundly commended for championing the overlooked classic “Go Tell the Spartans,” which is truly a masterpiece of acting, directing and storytelling (“After ‘Platoon,’ Can ‘Spartans’ Come Back?,” April 6).

“Go Tell the Spartans” is the forgotten jewel in the crown of one of Hollywood’s most underrated film makers, Ted Post. It deserves to be re-issued, properly. It’s a great film, with one of Burt Lancaster’s best performances that also fills a historical void and shows us something about who we are.

And to think he did it for $600,000 in the bushes behind Magic Mountain. . . .

JAMES DALESSANDRO

Van Nuys