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18 of 19 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD|Amazon Vine™ Review
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"Babylon" was part of a spate of movies made in the late 1970's and early 1980's which tried to put music on the big screen, making something to appeal to young people and also portray something contemporary. Whilst "Quadrophenia" seemed oddly dated and "Breaking Glass" a little cliched, "Babylon" manages to pull off most of its ambitions as this most welcome release on DVD testifies.
The film follows the fortunes of Blue - played by Brinsley Forde, the lead singer of Aswad who was a child star of the TV series "The Double Deckers" for those with a long enough memory - and his friends who are the Ital Lion soundsystem. The film documents the time up to a big soundclash between the Lion soundsystem and their rivals the Jah Shaka system - featuring DJ Jah Shaka himself. As events unfold Blue's life slowly hits a downward spiral.
Whilst, at times, the events of Blue's descent seem a little predictable this doesn't detract and is a minor criticism of what is a well paced, decently acted and well shot film. It is fascinating to see London, chiefly Lewisham, in such a deshevelled state. There is a lot of rubble and a grey hue to the place which suits the mood well. Support comes from a varitey of young black talent much of which has gone on to become fixtures on British TV.
Despite the tight budget this film has many highlights. It tackles the issue of racism unflinchingly and the scenes of abuse and brutality have a shocking power which still seems relevant today. The racism here is open, almost brazen, and one still feels uncomfortable watching it.
The other star of the show is the music which picks a few reggae gems and has a great original soundtrack composed by Dennis Bovell - surely one of the most unheralded sonic pioneers of his generation. It capturing the moment when dub started to head towards the electronic and it is a treat from the first rhythm to the last rumbling reverb.
Cited by serious minded critics as one of the best British films of the 80's this DVD gives the chance to see for yourself. Although not utterly perfect this is a fine film and the only real pity is that it didn't open the floodgates for more films like this. You can judge for yourself, but I'm siding with the critics in welcoming back this forgotten gem of a film.
The film follows the fortunes of Blue - played by Brinsley Forde, the lead singer of Aswad who was a child star of the TV series "The Double Deckers" for those with a long enough memory - and his friends who are the Ital Lion soundsystem. The film documents the time up to a big soundclash between the Lion soundsystem and their rivals the Jah Shaka system - featuring DJ Jah Shaka himself. As events unfold Blue's life slowly hits a downward spiral.
Whilst, at times, the events of Blue's descent seem a little predictable this doesn't detract and is a minor criticism of what is a well paced, decently acted and well shot film. It is fascinating to see London, chiefly Lewisham, in such a deshevelled state. There is a lot of rubble and a grey hue to the place which suits the mood well. Support comes from a varitey of young black talent much of which has gone on to become fixtures on British TV.
Despite the tight budget this film has many highlights. It tackles the issue of racism unflinchingly and the scenes of abuse and brutality have a shocking power which still seems relevant today. The racism here is open, almost brazen, and one still feels uncomfortable watching it.
The other star of the show is the music which picks a few reggae gems and has a great original soundtrack composed by Dennis Bovell - surely one of the most unheralded sonic pioneers of his generation. It capturing the moment when dub started to head towards the electronic and it is a treat from the first rhythm to the last rumbling reverb.
Cited by serious minded critics as one of the best British films of the 80's this DVD gives the chance to see for yourself. Although not utterly perfect this is a fine film and the only real pity is that it didn't open the floodgates for more films like this. You can judge for yourself, but I'm siding with the critics in welcoming back this forgotten gem of a film.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD|Amazon Vine™ Review
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Franco Rosso's 1979 film stars Aswad founder Brinsley Forde as disenfranchised DJ `Blue'. Poverty, institutionalised racism, violence and disaffection with life for a young black musician in the UK in the late 70s are the core themes of the movie, and Forde's assured acting supported by future `Brushstrokes' star Karl Howman and drug dealer Trevor Laird makes this a powerful film of its time as well as an important and timeless social comment.
There are some good DVD extras on here too; there is a Babylon commentary track featuring producer Gavrik Losey, lead actor Brinsley Forde, so-writer Martin Stellman and director Franco Rosso. Having this much aural input usually ends in chaos, but not here. With perfect manners and a delicate sensibility towards any suggestion of memory loss, they don't talk over each other and actually have an impressive amount of recollections considering so much time has passed since the film was made. Amongst other anecdotes we learn that although set in Brixton, most of the film was shot in Deptford and Lewisham.
It is an understatement to say that Babylon was before its time. Despite not being well received by a guilty and shamed society, the film did its part in helping Lord Scarman to stamp out police racism and sits proudly in the BFI's annals as a modern classic.
There are some good DVD extras on here too; there is a Babylon commentary track featuring producer Gavrik Losey, lead actor Brinsley Forde, so-writer Martin Stellman and director Franco Rosso. Having this much aural input usually ends in chaos, but not here. With perfect manners and a delicate sensibility towards any suggestion of memory loss, they don't talk over each other and actually have an impressive amount of recollections considering so much time has passed since the film was made. Amongst other anecdotes we learn that although set in Brixton, most of the film was shot in Deptford and Lewisham.
It is an understatement to say that Babylon was before its time. Despite not being well received by a guilty and shamed society, the film did its part in helping Lord Scarman to stamp out police racism and sits proudly in the BFI's annals as a modern classic.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD|Amazon Vine™ Review
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Babylon [DVD] [1980]
This is a hard hitting film. I grew up near Brixton (in Kennington) where parts of the film are set. The South London (Deptford, Lewisham and Brixton) it is set in is a bleak dystopia. Babylon is a film with a message. Babylon explores issues of cultural identity, and of cultural preservation.
Our Hero is MC Blue (Aswad's Brinsley Forde). He is not having an easy time of it - sacked by his racist boss(Mel Smith), two-timed by his girlfriend, beaten up by plain-clothes police, seeing his sound system is smashed up and on the run. The film finishes with a posse of policemen smashing down the doors at the semi-finals of a sound competition. As the Police sledghammer the door to the beat Aswad's 'Warrior Charge' booms out:-
"Four hundred years it's the same kind of living/Pain and misery all that Babylon is giving/I can't take no more of that, no I can't take no more of that"
The end is defiant but also conveys a sense of overwhelming despair. It's not difficult to identify with Blue given the problems he faces but it is hard to sympathise with him. He consistently makes all the wrong choices faced with racism and police harassment (not confined to Black people as I remember!).
The dialogue is great. My favourite is when Beefy (Trevor Laird) is told that "this was a lovely area before you came here," and retorts "This IS my country, lady and it's never been lovely, it's always been a tip for as long as I can remember."
It was co-written by Martin Stellman (writer of Quadrophenia) and Franco Rosso who also directed it and starred Brinsley Forde, Karl Howman and Trevor Laird. Music was scored by Dennis Bovell.
Babylon remained an underground cult classic for years. Audiences got little chance to catch it. The censors were scared that black Britons under the age of 18 would misread the film as an incitement to violence. The BBFC saddled it with a limiting 'X' certificate. BBFC secretary James Ferman reassured, "We all believe that it will become a classic of its type and be around for many years, so that black youngsters who cannot see it today will have their chance before very long." But following its cinema run, Babylon went underground. With no VHS or DVD release (even the soundtrack wasn't reissued on CD until 2005), the film instead collected a cult following via second-generation recordings, taped off the TV after either of its two screenings on Channel 4 during the 1980s and then exchanged and passed around. I for one welcome the fact that this thought-provoking film has been made more widely available.
This is a hard hitting film. I grew up near Brixton (in Kennington) where parts of the film are set. The South London (Deptford, Lewisham and Brixton) it is set in is a bleak dystopia. Babylon is a film with a message. Babylon explores issues of cultural identity, and of cultural preservation.
Our Hero is MC Blue (Aswad's Brinsley Forde). He is not having an easy time of it - sacked by his racist boss(Mel Smith), two-timed by his girlfriend, beaten up by plain-clothes police, seeing his sound system is smashed up and on the run. The film finishes with a posse of policemen smashing down the doors at the semi-finals of a sound competition. As the Police sledghammer the door to the beat Aswad's 'Warrior Charge' booms out:-
"Four hundred years it's the same kind of living/Pain and misery all that Babylon is giving/I can't take no more of that, no I can't take no more of that"
The end is defiant but also conveys a sense of overwhelming despair. It's not difficult to identify with Blue given the problems he faces but it is hard to sympathise with him. He consistently makes all the wrong choices faced with racism and police harassment (not confined to Black people as I remember!).
The dialogue is great. My favourite is when Beefy (Trevor Laird) is told that "this was a lovely area before you came here," and retorts "This IS my country, lady and it's never been lovely, it's always been a tip for as long as I can remember."
It was co-written by Martin Stellman (writer of Quadrophenia) and Franco Rosso who also directed it and starred Brinsley Forde, Karl Howman and Trevor Laird. Music was scored by Dennis Bovell.
Babylon remained an underground cult classic for years. Audiences got little chance to catch it. The censors were scared that black Britons under the age of 18 would misread the film as an incitement to violence. The BBFC saddled it with a limiting 'X' certificate. BBFC secretary James Ferman reassured, "We all believe that it will become a classic of its type and be around for many years, so that black youngsters who cannot see it today will have their chance before very long." But following its cinema run, Babylon went underground. With no VHS or DVD release (even the soundtrack wasn't reissued on CD until 2005), the film instead collected a cult following via second-generation recordings, taped off the TV after either of its two screenings on Channel 4 during the 1980s and then exchanged and passed around. I for one welcome the fact that this thought-provoking film has been made more widely available.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Still sends a shiver down the spine...
I saw this film back in 1980 at Birmingham Arts Lab when it had just been released. In may ways it parralels 'Quadrophenia' with its themes of youth culture and one person's life... Read more
Published 6 months ago by Mr. G. Burnett
Pulls no punches
Great film. Gets to the heart of the problems in English society at that time and the trials faced by 1st and 2nd generation immigrants. Read more
Published 6 months ago by MichaelP
superb well worth the buy
Such a great movie this, may be a touch difficult for those who can't understand the lingo at times but you can always watch it a few times to get to grips with it. Read more
Published 11 months ago by scotto
BABYLON REVIEW
The film was great just like it said, police prejudice and wrongful arrest against
minorty groups hard growing up in that type of environment then and still is now. Read more
minorty groups hard growing up in that type of environment then and still is now. Read more
Published 14 months ago by CHARASTAFARI
Babylon (1980)
I have been after this film since i first saw this film on video. Then one night i saw the film on bbc four on the set top box. Read more
Published 14 months ago by S. S. Adams
Has dated badly
I was around this scene a bit in the 80s and the movie captures a flavour but is SO stereotyped. Script boring and looks like it was made by white people about black people - urban... Read more
Published 18 months ago by bulbulamir
babylon
remember watching this film years back, so when i purchased it i was pleased it brought back good memeories.
Published 20 months ago by Annette Cole
Classic Movie!
If you're into Reggae, Roots, Rock, Dancehall, Sound Systems and Toasters... You will love this movie! Read more
Published 20 months ago by E. Boyd
babylon
first saw this a few months back on bbc1...it was shown really late. from that day onwards i thought i must get this movie....and hey presto i got it! Read more
Published 20 months ago by gusset
Babylon You're Wearing Me Down
Good period film about race relations in the UK circa '80-'83. Not really about reggae music but there's enough in it to whet your appetite. I'm not much into ASWAD, but B. Read more
Published 22 months ago by Erich A. Scholz III
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