Stevan Riley’s Fire in Babylon (2012) Movie Review

Directed and Written by: Stevan Riley
Produced by: Charles Steel and John Battsek
Stars: Sir Vivian Richards, Bunny Wailer, Michael Holding, Colin Croft, Frank I, Andy Roberts and Gordon Greenidge
Running time: 83 Minutes

FIRE IN BABYLON is more than just a West Indies Cricket documentary. Fire in Babylon is about Struggle, Dreams, Endurance, Freedom, Unity and Pride of West Indies through Cricket.  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 Documentary contains interviews with many players in that team: Michael holding, Andy Roberts, Colin Croft, Viv Richards, Derryck Murray and of course Clive Lloyd. Adding some more archive clips of Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu, Bob Marley and Kerry Packer, Fire in Babylon covers the major personalities associated with West Indian cricket and thus creates a universal appeal for the documentary.

Documentary all about West Indies team in-between 1980 and 1995, how they dominated test cricket like no other team in the history of the game. Their streak of 29 consecutive test series without defeat during that time stands as one of the most remarkable sporting achievements.

Stevan Riley explained the theme very well and its profound emotional effects as it caused sorrow, commiseration & wonderment as we watch them deal with blows that life dealt with them. On the whole, Fire In Babylon a Simple-Engaging- Divulging- Gripping Cricket documentary. You can’t ask more than this.

Survi Review: 3.5/5

Theatrical Trailer: