NO. 1 FOR NUNN

David Gritten’s cover story on Trevor Nunn (“Another Change of Direction,” July 12) is an entertaining, insightful piece about one of the giant theatrical directors of this era. Those of us who have worked with Mr. Nunn can attest to his brilliance in the theatre and his ability to head up the RSC and Royal National.

But Gritten writes “though Nunn loves directing films, he admits: ‘I’m not a born film director.’ His attempts so far have been patchy: ‘Lady Jane’ (1985) introduced Helena Bonham Carter to film audiences . . . ‘Twelfth Night’ (1996), with his wife [Imogen] Stubbs . . . .” Well made but financial losers.

But what happened in the ‘70s?

Glenda Jackson and I had formed our film company, Bowden Productions Ltd. Trevor was directing the RSC theatrical production of Ibsen’s “Hedda Gabler,” starring Glenda, which had garnered solid notices in the United Kingdom, Australia, U.S.A.

Glenda and I thought about making a movie based on the play and finally arranged financing. We engaged Trevor to direct and surrounded him with the best film production talent in England.

Trevor did not know the technical mumbo-jumbo of film but he did know his craft--how to direct his actors. Glenda received an Academy Award nomination for best actress, the Italian Oscar equivalent and many other awards. Not too shabby for his debut in film.

ROBERT ENDERS

West Los Angeles