If the films or other products of byegone eras are in line with the values and standards of their time, just as the films and other products of our era are in line with our contemporary values and standards, doesn't it seem a little presumptuous of us to talk about "having" to forgive them? Like they are in some inherent need of foregiveness, just because they reflect opinions that we now, well after the fact, happen to find distasteful? Is it bad to accept them for what they are, while realizing that we know better now (and maybe congratulating ourselves for this fact, just a little)?
Just my 2¢.