Making a comedy out of this subject is really gross. Deaths on the underground are a tragedy for both drivers and passengers. There is nothing remotely funny about suicides and accidents, particularly during this frightening period of heightened security. Are we all supposed to have a good laugh about the terrible Kings Cross bombings, or has that all been forgotten and brushed aside? Certainly not. Many people still think about it every day. Dark humour has it's place but not in this context thank you very much.

Colin , Carmarthen, UK

I haven't seem the film so perhaps am not in the best position to comment, but based on what I have read so far in the media about its plot, I can't imagine that this is a film many would want to see. Treating suicide with such an irreverant attitude seems like a very cheap shot at making an 'entertaining' film. I know two people who have witnessed suicides on the underground (from the platform) and who were scarred indefinitely by the experience. What must it be like for drivers who undergo something so traumatic to see their experiences belittled in the name of entertainment?

BeulahB, London,

What brilliant publicity! I imagine the producers can't believe their luck that the hitherto unknown 'Aslef' have decided to kick up a fuss.
I understand that one of the writers of the film is a fireman and must therefore deal with death on a daily basis. Perhaps Alsef might learn something from his stoicism.

Ed Drummond, London,

I find it hard to condem this type of film. Nearly all comedies are distastefull to some. If you think the content is not to your liking, don't watch it.

I used to work on the railways in the old days of BR, and while not a driver I used to talk with them etc. I do accept that this film 'could' be offensive to some, but what film isn't? Shouldn't it be judged on it's actual content rather than a knee-jerk reaction to it's assumed content?

Trevor, Sheffield, Yorkshire

Sounds like this film is quite irresponsible.

Bob, warrington, cheshire UK

Are tube drivers ever happy ? Perhaps once the lower their work hours to 0 per week and their wage £100k perhaps

Gavin, London, UK

“Last year 249 bodies ended up under trains. Of these, 194 were classified by the Rail Safety and Standards Board as suicides or suspected suicides."

So, of the 294 people that ended up under trains - 194 were self inflicted??? This is saying that last year 100 people either fell or were pushed???? That is insane!

Mia, London, UK

The tube drivers have held London to ransom too many times.
Nobody has the slightest sympathy for them.
If they can't stand the heat maybe they should give up their cushy heavily unionised job to a much harder working Pole or other non striking eastern european ,who would gladly take it.

James, London, U.K

I notice they haven't objected to all the advertising billboards for the film that are currently posted throughout the underground stations. Obviously advertising revenues heal all wounds..

Sue, London,

No subject matter should be out of bounds and there is no real grounds for banning this film - particularly when you have not even seen it .

Whilst the film may not be to everyone's taste, it has prompted this article which may go someway towards highlighting this issue in London.

Mark, High Wycombe, England

I'm not sure that the subject matter of this film is suitable for a comedy. Suicide is a last resort of those who've reached the very bottom and can't see another way out. When someone commits suicide, it leaves behind shattered lives, especially those of their families.

This is bad enough but when a jumper effectively gets someone else to kill them involuntarily, this adds to the circle of people who are affected, probably for the rest of their lives.

Ask yourself, if this movie were about persuading someone to jump in front of your car on the M25 if it'd be funny. Would a few quid compensation actually take away the trauma of the incident for you and make you confident to carry on your life just as if nothing had happened.

We live in a free country so I don't think the film should be banned. But I think it is in extremely bad taste and would be quite surprised if it does very well. A bad move for McKenzie Crook.

Andy, London,

it's only a movie'people,these characters don't really exists...focus on real issues

barry, halifax, canada

The main point which is that when the issue of suicide is given increased public prominence, it can result in an increase in the suicide rate at the locale in question (particularly "everyday" locales such as LU). As an Engineer whose previous experience touched with suicide from bridge structures, my employer's policy and that of our client, was always to deal with such matters with as little publicity as was possible; film companies were denied access where there was any suggestion of suicide being part of the storyline. Whilst I believe that it is an individual's right to commit suicide, we do not need to increase the opportunities for it to happen. LU have made a fundamental error in embracing this film and, as an Employer, are not looking after the welfare of their staff. Crook's response all too readily displays his ignorance of the issues surrounding suicide - people are not jumping to conclusions, they are simply applying common sense.

Graeme Blackie, Erskine, UK

ASLEF - Associated Society of Locomotive Enginemen & Firemen
Train Drivers Trade Union

Casey Jones, Cardiff, Wales, UK

Simply put it's free speech, if you don't like what it says then don't watch it but don't ban on the pretext that it's for my benifit and that i'm not mature enough to make the decision for myself! that is for me to decide and if i choose to be stupid and watch a stupid film then that is my provocative.

Free speech it's not just what you want to hear, it's also what you don't want to hear.

Peter Lai, Newcastle,

Having seen the film at the premiere last night, I can honestly say that despite the impression that the trailers and synopsis provides, the issues are tastefully handled, and the comedy focuses on the relationships of the characters rather than the subject of suicide.

The replies to criticism by those representing the film of "You haven't seen the film" are justified; there are plot twists in the film (which I won't give away) which resolve many of the concerns.

McKensie Crook portrays the empathy and torment, particularly beautifully in the latter part of the film, of a man stuck between a rock and hard place compounded by trauma and his own depression.

I thoroughly recommend that people see the film and please do not be put off by a rather flippant first 15 minutes - make sure that you judge the film on the performances once the characters reach Cumbria.

Alex Kingsbury, London, UK

Should programmes like Blackadder Goes Forth (comedy about First World War which ends with the main characters "going over the top" to probably be killed) be banned or have been made in the first place?

I have not seen this film and thank god never been affected by a suicide but is banning it necessary? As the spokeswoman said it might add to the distress of people affected by suicides, including railway staff, so those poeple should not watch it.

I am sure Blackadder Goes Forth might add to the distress of people who had family killed in the First World War....so don't watch it!!

Damian, Manchester,

When i was eleven, my father committed suicide. Thirty years later, i still can't see the funny side to it. Maybe it's a lack of humour on my part. However, Mr Crook's stock-in-trade appears to be lampooning human suffering - The Office being the prime example. Let's hope he continues to share his good humour with us when fate lands him a kick in the nuts.

John, KL,

Is there not a thing as freedom of expression....films like this cause debate which is a good thing plus it gives ASLEF something else to whine about because goodness knows they haven't been in the media recently!!
Yes it is a sensitive subject and yes a real suicide event on the underground is tragic but this film underlines the beauty of living in a democracy .

Mike Thomas, London,

Are these people who would like to see this film banned because it might offend or upset people, the same people who would like to see Christmas renamed to Wintervall, nativity plays removed from schools, Binmen awarded the title of waste disposal attendants, not to mention, banning smoking, crucifixes, marriages, patriotism, and general common sense?

James Spencer, Durham, UK

Suicide, much like the tube, rarely runs to a timetable. Selfish doesn't even come into it. Suicidal people no longer have any sense of themselves, let alone other people's lives.

Criticising people who commit suicide under a train is an entirely pointless exercise which achieves nothing.

Yes, it happens a lot here. I find it sad before I find inconvenient, thankfully.

Making a film about it may be bad taste but it is pathetically minor in the scheme of things.

KM, London,

Mark, London, what you say is completely ridiculous. As far as I can see, noone has said that books and films should be banned if they are offensive. That is just not the point, and you sound incredibily insensitive by making such a remark. What are you suggesting? That because we are lucky enough to live in a society with freedom of expression nobody is allowed to criticise the subject matter of a film, and we should cross the boundaries of decency just to prove we can?

The point of the article and comments such as mine is that it is deplorable that someone should want to make a 'comedy' about something as sad and serious as suicides on the London Underground. We are simply expressing disgust that someone could think this would make a funny film.

It is also incomprehensible to me how anyone could describe these people as selfish. To choose to end your life in this way shows the person must have been suffering in a way that the rest of us cannot begin to imagine.

Sophie, Leeds,

This film should not have been made. There are millions of alternative subjects...

Epimethean, Reigate,

Train drivers do not receive compensation for suicides, as it is not covered under the Criminal Injuries Compensation Act.

What they do receive is support to enable them (in the overwhelming majority of cases) to get back to work. Sometimes it's the next day; sometimes it's a couple of months; and sometimes it's never.

Can I stress that ASLEF are not seeking to have the film banned, so perhaps Mark from London would care to get a grip on *himself*, if he isn't doing so already? What they are doing is highlighting the issue, questioning the subject matter and portrayal of drivers, and perhaps asking if it's really a good idea for London Underground to have cooperated quite so blithely on this project.

Gordon Highlander, Northants, UK

So the remaining 55 people were pushed or fell under trains last year... Ouch - that's quite a surprising, and worrying, statistic.

Louise, London,

gil,Bristol-have you seen the film then?

john , shrewsbury, uk

Let's not have humour in any movie lest it offend someone. OK, let's ban movies, and TV ...oh, why not books too?? Just in case we offend someone; we can all live in a sanitised, government approved, low calorie, holier than thou, insipid world of nothingness.

Get a grip!

Mark, London,

Aslef is a trade union.

Tom, London,

This film sounds too close to the bone. There are plenty of grieving relatives who will be extremely upset. Dark humour has it's place but not in a modern context on the London Underground thank you very much. The whole idea is stupid and gross.

Colin , Carmarthen, UK

I look forward to hearing from tube drivers who will decline compensation if a "jumper" - as THEY call them - ends up under their train.

James, London, UK

Might have been handy to let the reader know what Aslef is?!!!

Jane, London,

I have read that once a train driver has killed a person he is never able to return to his job because it has so unnerved him. This film should be banned. I have every sympathy with train drivers over this stupid film.

gil, bristol, england