One of the greatest film directors of all time has given his backing to the campaign to save the National Media Museum.

American film director Martin Scorsese, responsible for movie hits such as Goodfellas, The Departed, Taxi Driver, Casino, Gangs of New York, Shutter Island, and latest blockbuster The Wolf of Wall Street, has written exclusively to the Telegraph & Argus stating the importance of the museum.

Mr Scorsese, also a screenwriter, producer and actor, visited the museum in 1987 to deliver one of three Guardian Lectures about his body of work.

The lectures were filmed and went on to form the basis of the book ‘Scorsese on Scorsese’.

In his letter Mr Scorsese talks about his visit and how the museum housed the biggest cinema screen in Britain and the first IMAX theatre, adding: “Without the museum, a mass of people will never understand the influence, power and inspiration that media has occupied in society and in lives.”

His international stamp of approval joins the chorus of support which now includes film legend John Hurt, world class Bradford-born artist David Hockney, Monty Python stars Terry Jones and Michael Palin, who backed the T&A campaign to save the museum, which has more than 42,000 signatures on the petition.

Culture minister Ed Vaizey has said the museum will not close, but the Science Museum Group, (SMG) which owns it, is waiting until the Government spending review details are released this Wednesday and potential funding cuts before it comments in detail on the facility’s future.

Mr Scorsese’s comments have been met with elation by the district’s MPs and David Wilson, the director of Bradford UNESCO City of Film.

Mr Wilson said: “This is fantastic and a world class endorsement. Martin Scorsese, along with a handful of others, is one of the best film directors on the planet and he is talking about our museum.

“This just shows the breadth and reach of the work of the National Media Museum.

“It does not come much bigger than Scorsese, so this is phenomenal.

“It goes to show the collections are in their rightful place here up North where they have been for 30 years.”

George Galloway, the Respect MP for Bradford West, described Mr Scorsese as one of the “world’s greatest directors” and the support “a big feather in Bradford’s cap”.

“His support is invaluable and I hope that the Government listens and learns from the last couple of weeks and puts the kind of resource into the museum and capital that we need to re-shape the museum physically,” Mr Galloway added.

Gerry Sutcliffe, the Bradford South MP (Lab), said Mr Scorsese’s comments were a sign of the importance of the museum, not only to Bradford, but the world.

“If Martin Scorsese is involved it shows the role the museum plays in film and helps keep the momentum going with someone of that quality and stature,” he added.

Shipley MP Philip Davies, (Con), said: “We have all been working so hard to save it and his support is extremely welcome.

“We don’t want to save it in the short-term to allow it to wither on the vine, what we want is to see what action plan Mr Vaizey and the SMG’s Ian Blatchford have in order to invest in the museum and build it up.”

David Ward, the MP for Bradford East (Lib Dem) added: “It is a fantastic vote of confidence in the museum from one of the leading lights and great names in the film industry.”

Keighley MP Kris Hopkins (Con) said he was absolutely delighted that Mr Scorsese was backing the campaign.

  • The Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee meets in London on July 2 with Mr Sutcliffe and Mr Davies as members, with Culture Minister Mr Vaizey, Mr Blatchford from the SMG, and representatives from Bradford Council to discuss the issues surrounding the museum’s future.

Martin Scorsese's letter in full:

To Whom It May Concern

I write to you today in hopes of putting an end to any action that results in the closing of the National Media Museum.
In January of 1987, I gave three Guardian Lectures, one of which took place at the National Media Museum.
The lecture became an introduction of sorts, making me a witness to all the educational programs and encouragement the Museum offered to the media interested public.
At this infancy stage - just four years after its initial opening - the Museum housed the biggest cinema sceen in Britain, possessed the first IMAX theater in Europe, announced the Bradford Fellowship to initiate a collaboration between artists and collectors, and introduced an interactive television gallery allowing visitors hands-on instruction for camera, sound and lighting operation.
To say the Museum was off to a running start would be an incredible understatement.
Nearly two years ago, the world’s first color moving picture was discovered. This find, which showed images by Edward Raymond Turner, is both highly unusual and remarkable. When I heard the National Media Museum would be showing the footage, I couldn’t have imagined a better venue to showcase such an important piece of cultural record. It would remind the world of the rich history living within the Museum’s walls. It would confirm the Museum’s magnitude. And most certainly, it would re-establish the appreciation of film as it unfortunately becomes neglected.
Since my lecture, I have remained a dedicated supporter of the National Media Museum as it continues to inspire and preserve the future and past of filmmaking.
Without the Museum, a mass of people will never understand the influence, power, and inspiration that media has occupied in society and in lives.
I ask you to please consider the requests of the National Media Museum’s supporters. It is my hope that you sense our urgency in keeping the literacy of media alive and well in Bradford.
I thank you for your time.

Sincerely,
Martin Scorsese.