Fire in Babylon (2010)

This is a wonderful documentary portraying the world of West Indian Cricket,through the prism of colonialism. The great CLR James wrote a a masterpiece called Beyond A Boundary ,in which he attempted to do the very same thing. This movie begins with the era of Independence in the Carribean ,the great former players{ Garfield Sobers being the greatest] and the formation of the West Indian squads.After a humiliating test in 1975 and 1976 against Australia in which the Batters were intimidated and injured by the furious style of the Aussie bowlers[not to mention the horrific racist epithets and virulent disgusting racist taunting from the crowd] the West Indian team went in search of a new model.The found one. They began to play hard fast cricket, bowling at incredible speeds, using the same intimidating tactics that was used against them. The two huge highlights are the tests against England,where the former colonial masters are humiliated beyond description, and then revenge down under where the Aussies were whipped at their own game, and the Great Viv Richards dominated. Interspersed throughout are interviews withe the players, commentary from Bunny Wailer, gorgeous beats from Bob Marley and Burning Spear among others and great highlights. As sociology,as politics, as humanity unfolding, and a downtrodden people regaining their rightful place,as a genuine new west Indian culture erupting, as sport and as sheer fun, this is a great film. HUgely recommended for everyone.Wonderful!

Those with any sort of interest in cricket should be enthusiastic about the release of "Fire in Babylon." This intense and eye-opening documentary from Stevan Riley tracks the evolution of the West Indian cricket team from its inception to its inevitable place as International champions. Their struggles and successes happened in a worldwide arena of racism, political maneuvering, and apartheid. Far from being a traditional underdog story (and at heart, that's what it is), this is an illuminating look at how the sport developed and the historical context in which this small group of players challenged the status quo. The team's success is mirrored in how this small chain of islands asserted a newfound national pride and identity after years of colonial rule. By taking the English gentleman's sport and appropriating it as a field of battle, it changed cricket forever (for good and for bad).

Riley has assembled all of the prominent names that you might expect to look back on a certain era (most of the footage deals with the mid-seventies to the mid-eighties). It documents that the early team notoriety was as entertainers with no particular talent for the sport and notes that the turning point was when they were decimated by the fast bowl pitches of the Australians. Employing many of the same techniques, the West Indians created a better and more formidable team with four of these notorious fast bowlers. As their reputation grew (both for talent and brutality), they ascended to the heights of cricket. The film shows how the team fought the oppression of its own council to break free of its restrictions, divided over issues of apartheid when certain players were coerced into playing in South Africa, faced casual racism around the world, and challenged their former rulers to attain a grudging respect. You see plenty of cricket, for sure, but a healthy interest in world events will further enhance the experience of viewing "Fire in Babylon."

Riley's film is filtered through the perspective of the West Indian team. Some may see this as a criticism, but it is their viewpoint and interviews that make up the bulk of the film. For example, as the sport became progressively more dangerous, rules were formalized to protect batters from intentional injury. And many players were being seriously injured (some with career ending hits). While some might see this as a necessary response (myself included), the West Indians perceived it as a casual attack on them personally to destroy their team. It's easy to see their point of view as these rulings affected them greatly, but things have a broader context than are expressed in this film. Still, "Fire in Babylon" raises a lot of great issues and highlights a lot of great players. In many ways, as I mentioned, it is an underdog story with tremendous appeal. And not just a sports film, the story shows how our heroes can also stand as significant political and sociological role models in troubled times. Strong stuff. KGHarris, 10/11.

Buy Fire in Babylon (2010) Now

The story of west indies cricket wonderfully brought to life. Must see for all west indian people. very informative and educational.Instills pride. West Indies cricket would never achieve those heights again so watch it, buy it. It's a valuable part of our history.

Read Best Reviews of Fire in Babylon (2010) Here

James A. Stewart, DVD Verdict --Riley's Fire in Babylon profiles the West Indies Cricket Team, which controlled the sport from 1980 to 1995. The story starts with the "Calypso Cricketers," actually seen singing in some vintage footage from 1975; that team was dismissed by the world of cricket, as it rarely ended a match with anything to sing about. The turning point came with a drubbing--both on the field and with hostile fans--at an Australian test match that year. The team learned its lesson from their often-violent Australian rivals and got tough. A year later, their "head-on onslaught" put the team from India--and everyone else--on notice.

Fire in Babylon features lots of video from the team's rise to cricket power, often with the original sports announcing. It also provides quotes from the players and team captains who fueled the West Indies victories. However, this isn't a sports documentary--not exactly, at least. What Riley sets out to do isn't to show a team working hard to become champions. Instead, he wants to show what happens when they do.

The nations of the West Indies had only recently achieved independence, often with violent clashes. They were also islands, with little common ground. "Could we beat our former masters at the game they created?" one player asks; the answer was yes, demonstrated in a 1985 test match against England. The rise of the cricket team brought unity to the region and encouraged the islands' emerging culture, a message hit home by Bunny Wailer of Bob Marley and the Wailers, who offers frequent commentary. Eventually, the team was a symbol of black power in Africa as well.

The picture quality is highly variable; some of those old cricket videos are full of scratches and spots. Riley helps things along with stylish graphics, but it's still noticeable. The soundtrack features lots of reggae, including a band performing a cricket song.

A brief interview with Riley and producer John Battsek is added as an extra. It's not bad, but I'd have liked a text timeline, both for the team and for the West Indies, and some background on the team's stars and where they are now.

Sports documentaries often promise to show viewers that "it's more than a game." Fire in Babylon actually does just that.

Want Fire in Babylon (2010) Discount?

An inspiring story about how the West Indian cricket teams of the late 70's thru the early nineties redefined cricket with the use of controlled aggression. A well made documentary that carefully and logically reconstructs some of the events of the mid-70's that culminated in the infamous surrender of a match by an Indian team and the subsequent, now famous, grudge series between the West Indies and Australia.

Save 40% Off