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Fire In Babylon

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My Boy Harry

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Looks good. Wonder if it is coming to a cinema near us?
 



Looks good. Wonder if it is coming to a cinema near us?

I managed to see this new documentary last night through a mate of mine. Director Stevan Riley has made an exhilarating piece that describes the events which led to the West Indies cricket team rising from also-rans in the early 1970s to a fearsome, all-conquering force by end of the decade, and at the same time becoming cultural icons who inspired a generation of black people still struggling to emerge from a history of slavery and oppression.

The story is told entirely from the West Indians' point of view, and in their own words - this is not so much a discussion as a celebration of an inarguably glorious period of sporting history. The list of contributors is a cricketing hall-of-fame roll call: Richards, Lloyd, Holding, Roberts, Greenidge, Haynes, Garner and more are joined by other significant names from Caribbean culture. All are hugely entertaining orators who could easily have kept this relatively short production going for another 3 hours.

This film that should appeal to cricket fans, sports fans, and those not remotely interested in sport. A film full of entirely new interviews and perspectives will please the already-initiated, but the wider significance of this cricketing success make it accessible, and vital, viewing for everyone.


Its a must see film for all of the SMB CC
 
I managed to see this new documentary last night through a mate of mine. Director Stevan Riley has made an exhilarating piece that describes the events which led to the West Indies cricket team rising from also-rans in the early 1970s to a fearsome, all-conquering force by end of the decade, and at the same time becoming cultural icons who inspired a generation of black people still struggling to emerge from a history of slavery and oppression.

The story is told entirely from the West Indians' point of view, and in their own words - this is not so much a discussion as a celebration of an inarguably glorious period of sporting history. The list of contributors is a cricketing hall-of-fame roll call: Richards, Lloyd, Holding, Roberts, Greenidge, Haynes, Garner and more are joined by other significant names from Caribbean culture. All are hugely entertaining orators who could easily have kept this relatively short production going for another 3 hours.

This film that should appeal to cricket fans, sports fans, and those not remotely interested in sport. A film full of entirely new interviews and perspectives will please the already-initiated, but the wider significance of this cricketing success make it accessible, and vital, viewing for everyone.


Its a must see film for all of the SMB CC

:lol::lol::lol::lol:
 
Can't wait to see this film as the Windies side of the mid-70's is the whole reason I got into cricket. Started liking them and then the summer of 1976 was just brilliant, not just the cricket but the whole way their support would take over the grounds with the constant steel drum sound of the beer cans, the pitch invasions and of course players like Viv Richards & Mikey Holding.
 
Looks well worth a watch, world cricket could well do with a vintage West Indies team again.

Edit :

*sneaks back out again*......
 
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Too late for going to the cinema but last night from the ashes was on. Great film about the 81 ashes victory followed by a talk in with beefy.

Not sure If the DVD is out yet but worth it's worth a watch xxxxxxx
 
Just been to see it, some of the scenes look stunning on the cinema screen. As lovely a fella as Colin Croft is He went down in my estimation when I found out he sold out to Apartheid.

I recommend that all cricket lovers go to see it. Thoughts Matty and Dave?
 
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Just been to see it, some of the scenes look stunning on the cinema screen. As lovely a fella as Colin Croft is He went down in my estimation when I found out he sold out to Apartheid.

I recommend that all cricket lovers go to see it. Thoughts Matty and Dave?


Thought it was tremendous, I'd always loved that team as grew up watching it all so it brought back a lot of memories. Was also disappointed about Croft and wonder who else had gone out there, it never really said although mentioned some of them returned and drifted into poverty or drug abuse (unless I picked that up wrong). Another surprise about Croft was I never thought he'd played as big a part with them as he had, I was surprised he was as major a player as he had been.

Matty thought it was excellent and way better than he thought it would be, he'd only heard bits & pieces I'd told him.

Final thought, I know there's still a lot of racism around today but looking at what happened back then it does show we have moved on although still a long way to go.

Final, final point, there was a sense of that once the Windies came back with the firepower & the pace bowling etc which most teams, especially England, couldn't cope with, we tried to change the rules to stop it. Shorter run-ups, maximum number of short balls etc etc. It was ok to do it before then when Lillee & Thomson were doing it but as soon as the Windies started to do it better we wanted to change the rules to stop it. Another form of racism?
 
wackyjacky said:
Thought it was tremendous, I'd always loved that team as grew up watching it all so it brought back a lot of memories. Was also disappointed about Croft and wonder who else had gone out there, it never really said although mentioned some of them returned and drifted into poverty or drug abuse (unless I picked that up wrong). Another surprise about Croft was I never thought he'd played as big a part with them as he had, I was surprised he was as major a player as he had been.

Matty thought it was excellent and way better than he thought it would be, he'd only heard bits & pieces I'd told him.

Final thought, I know there's still a lot of racism around today but looking at what happened back then it does show we have moved on although still a long way to go.

Final, final point, there was a sense of that once the Windies came back with the firepower & the pace bowling etc which most teams, especially England, couldn't cope with, we tried to change the rules to stop it. Shorter run-ups, maximum number of short balls etc etc. It was ok to do it before then when Lillee & Thomson were doing it but as soon as the Windies started to do it better we wanted to change the rules to stop it. Another form of racism?

You're right about the drugs. They said that many of the rebels 'got too kinky' which in their words meant ruined by cocaine.

The scene where Brian Close the old white man got peppered by their young quicks looked brutal on the big screen.
 
It sounds great. I've ordered the DVD from hut.com (cheap and post free) and cant wait to watch it. I wanted to take the bairn too see it on the big screen but he was too young. :-(
 
My Boy Harry said:
It sounds great. I've ordered the DVD from hut.com (cheap and post free) and cant wait to watch it. I wanted to take the bairn too see it on the big screen but he was too young. :-(

What certificate is it like? There was nothing in there that was unsuitable for kids from what I can remember. Might be a bit political for them but that's about it.
 
What certificate is it like? There was nothing in there that was unsuitable for kids from what I can remember. Might be a bit political for them but that's about it.
I rang the Tyneside cinema last week and asked them if I could bring the bairn. The woman asked how old he was and when I said "9" they said it was a 12 certificate and he would be turned away.

He was gutted.
 
You're right about the drugs. They said that many of the rebels 'got too kinky' which in their words meant ruined by cocaine.

The scene where Brian Close the old white man got peppered by their young quicks looked brutal on the big screen.

Close could take it though. Don't make them like him anymore.
 
I might go and see it on a rare trip to the cinema.

I wish i seen them in their pomp :)

You're right about the drugs. They said that many of the rebels 'got too kinky' which in their words meant ruined by cocaine.

The scene where Brian Close the old white man got peppered by their young quicks looked brutal on the big screen.

Why test cricket is the best sport in the world it is pure drama when its at its best.
 
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