Abstract: A method for treating a video signal including a plurality of consecutive video fields; at least some video fields of the plurality of video fields contributing to a plurality of substantially successively occurring motion sums; includes: (a) Effecting successive comparison of selected of the motion sums with at least one motion sum threshold in a predetermined cycle. The motion sum threshold is related with at least one earlier-occurring motion sum. The predetermined cycle establishes the successive comparison for evaluating whether the selected motion sums occur in a pattern characteristic of film mode content. (b) Treating the video signal as containing film mode content so long as the successive comparison indicates film mode content. (c) Treating the video signal as not containing the film mode content when a predetermined number of the successive comparisons indicate no film mode content.