Feature documentary about the great West Indies cricket team of the 1970s and '80s. Fire In Babylon is the breathtaking story of how the West Indies triumphed over its colonial masters through the achievements of one of the most gifted teams in sporting history. In a turbulent era of apartheid in South Africa, race riots in England and civil unrest in the Caribbean, the West Indian cricketers, led by the enigmatic Viv Richards, struck a defiant blow at the forces of white prejudice worldwide. Their undisputed skill, combined with a fearless spirit, allowed them to dominate the genteel game at the highest level, replaying it on their own terms. This is their story, told in their own words.
Learie Constantine (1945)
A profile of the West Indian cricketer Learie Constantine, showing him at work as a welfare officer in Liverpool and on the cricket field.
A Century before Lunch (1926)
A masterful innings by Australian batsman Macartney in the third test at Headingley.
First in the Field (1927)
First county cricket match of the season between champions Lancashire and Warwickshire.
Australians' First Match (1921)
Stunning views from the boundary of the 1921 Australian touring team's first match.
Sachin: A Billion Dreams (2017)
Sachin Tendulkar plays himself in this sports-docudrama that traces the life and times of one of the world’s biggest cricket phenomenas.
Shane (2022)
For a guy who grew up thinking only of Australian Rules football, it’s almost an accident that Shane Warne became the greatest cricketer of a generation, and one of the greats of all time. Mastering the difficult art of spin bowling after being kicked out of football for not being a good enough player proved a pivotal choice for 19 year old Shane – declared unfit and fat, he transformed himself. When success came, so did fame and adulation, money and prestige but a betting scandal, drugs scandal, and affairs that cost him his marriage, threatened his career. From the lows of a 12 month ban he rebuilt his cricket, his career, and his reputation as one of the most ferocious competitors on the planet, admired and revered by millions.
Bodyline - The Ultimate Test (2013)
This is the story of one of the most well known but perhaps least understood moments of conflict and controversy in the history of sport: the infamous Bodyline test cricket series of 1932 and 1933. Self-confessed cricket tragic and comedian Adam Zwar will try to discover what happened at the crease and chart the wider social and cultural implications of the controversy by enlisting historians, sports scientists, and cricket stars to simulate the actual events. Is there more to the legend of Bodyline than we think? Adam is going back in time to live out a childhood fantasy or two. He is going to use machines, fancy cameras, and the latest in computer graphics. Modern day players will help him prepare. Adam will witness the real damage a high speed cricket ball can do. In the end, Adam will be on his own - with no helmet, no modern padding, and just a bat for protection. How will he handle this ultimate test?
Crossing the Line (2018)
Relive the highly controversial 2018 Australian cricket tour to South Africa; five weeks that rocked the gentleman’s game and captivated the globe.
Frantz Fanon: His Life, His Struggle, His Work (2001)
It is the evocation of a life as brief as it is dense. An encounter with a dazzling thought, that of Frantz Fanon, a psychiatrist of West Indian origin, who will reflect on the alienation of black people. It is the evocation of a man of reflection who refuses to close his eyes, of the man of action who devoted himself body and soul to the liberation struggle of the Algerian people and who will become, through his political commitment, his fight, and his writings, one of the figures of the anti-colonialist struggle. Before being killed at the age of 36 by leukemia, on December 6, 1961. His body was buried by Chadli Bendjedid, who later became Algerian president, in Algeria, at the Chouhadas cemetery (cemetery of war martyrs ). With him, three of his works are buried: “Black Skin, White Masks”, “L’An V De La Révolution Algérien” and “The Wretched of the Earth”.
Caught Out: Crime. Corruption. Cricket. (2023)
The sports documentary examines India's biggest match-fixing scandal, the icons caught in its web and the journalists who uncovered the corruption.
How to Play Cricket (1949)
Sir Donald Bradman gives an instruction on how to play the perfect Cricket shots.
Bats, Balls and Bradford Girls (2019)
This BBC Three film follows the first all Asian girls’ cricket team over the summer holidays as they train for their last ever tournament together. The team started at school four years ago when their only experience of cricket was their dads and brothers watching it on the TV. In spite of this, they took to it like naturals and began winning almost all of the tournaments they entered. Last year they lost out on becoming National champions at Lords by only one run.
Bradman and Tendulkar (2023)
Two of cricket's greatest players, sporting icons from different corners of the world. This documentary compares their early lives, stellar careers and dreams, uncovering striking similarities and never-before-shared details.
Prince Ranjitsinhji Practising Batting in the Nets (1897)
Probably the first ever cricket film: Indian cricketing royalty prepares for the first test between England and Australia at Sydney.
Beyond All Boundaries (2013)
The stories of three ordinary Indians, a penniless super fan, a boy superstar and a girl cricketer, for each of whom the sport of cricket is a lifeline.
Amazing Adelaide (2006)
It seemed an impossible outcome. After England clearly dominated the first two days of the 2nd 3 mobile Ashes Test at the Adelaide Oval, a draw appeared to be the most likely result. Ricky Ponting's Australian side had other ideas. On the final day, with masterful bowling and courageous batting, Australia achieved the unthinkable, winning the Test by six wickets with 3.1 overs to spare. In one of the greatest comebacks in history, the Australian Cricket team not only crushed England's hopes in the Second Test, butquite possibly buried their dream of retaining the Ashes. Hosted by Richie Benaud and Michael Slater, this exclusive DVD brings you the incredible moments of that historic Test, including the euphoric post match celebrations.