THE theft of a rare cult movie from Monmouth's Savoy Theatre last week has been likened to stealing the Mona Lisa by the cinema's director of films.

The dark Ealing comedy, featuring Sir Alec Guinness in his crowning glory in Kind Hearts And Coronets, could have had its very last cinema screening following its theft from the Savoy.

Six 35mm reels containing one of the greatest British films ever made were stolen from the doorstep of the small Savoy Theatre in Mon-mouth. Thieves forced an entry through the security grill to gain access to a case containing the six reels of film, which were all black in colour except for one, which was red.

"In cinematic terms it's like stealing the Mona Lisa," said devastated director of films Michael Blakemore, 58.

"The theft is a complete and unmitigated disaster, because I believe that it's the only print in Britain of Kind Hearts And Coronets and the film is of a type that can be used only by cinemas in this country.

"I'm hoping that the film was the subject of a practical joke or dare as the theft took place during the school holidays and I hope this publicity will enable it to be returned.

"But I personally believe that because of the film's rarity it was stolen to order. The film is a national treasure and if we don't find it, it might never be shown in the proper format, in the proper place, ever again. That's how serious this is."

Disaster struck after the Savoy decided to launch a new First Friday Film Club for pensioners, who had said they wanted to see more classics films.

A number of grants were obtained to hire the only available copy of Kind Hearts And Coronets, which features Sir Alec Guinness playing all eight of the D'Ascoyn family murdered by spurned Louis Mazzini, in his bid to become duke.

Mr Blakemore added: "All the original prints have long since disintegrated and because the negatives are in private hands now I don't know if any more copies can be made."

A spokesman for Optimum film distributors in London declined to comment on the theft and the case that containing the film reels is currently being examined by police forensic experts.