Babylon [Blu-ray]

This has immediately entered my top 5 movies of all time. It's thrown my life slightly off axis since I first discovered it on the Criterion Channel. Beautifully shot, funny, tender, sweet, moving, rage-inducing- all at the same time. I'm sharing it with anyone who'll listen to me gush on about it, and so far, it's affected them the same way. And that soundtrack... Aswad's "Warrior Charge" is a KILLER.

I was fortunate to see this film via an uploaded bootleg on YouTube. I tried to buy the DVD a while back, but it was only available in region 2 format. The digital restoration of the film and soundtrack is superb! It's a shame that this film got little or no attention outside of the UK. An enjoyable film for all. Well worth the wait.

Such great music! British early 80s reggae was THE BEST. Happy to see this

Cult movie from the early 80's. Thinking about purchasing a copy.

I liked the content. Story was not really strong, but you get the message and it's a good message to remember. Music was great. Being related to many Jamaicans I can say that this is very accurate in the way they speak, behave, dance, sing, etc. I liked the variety of characters that to me represent real Jamaicans: some of them kind, some rude, some thief, some church-going, some only speak patois, and some speak more proper English, but most all are respectful. The family gathering was the real. If this is how it was back in the day in England, it's amazing how much they are almost exactly like the people in Jamaica.

This edition has the look of a direct to digital transfer from a pretty rough looking tape. Incidentally I have found this to be true of other releases from Raro Video. There is another version floating around, also Region 2 but a UK edition,which includes a couple of shots that were inexplicably cut from the Raro version (e.g a punchline to a joke. perplexing why they would cut some thing like that).Still a great film, very realistic depiction of Black youth's struggles in Brixton just prior to the riot of 1981 that led to the repeal of 'sus law' i.e. racial profiling, similar to 'stop and frisk' in the US. I think the plot is structured to show a reasonable simulacrum of the shift in the oppressed youths' attitude leading up to the Brixton riot. The climax of the film is a spark that set the blaze off, fictionalized of course, which makes it somewhat unique in its story telling.

Well worth the wait on Blu-ray.

Great perspective on era and region

Jah Tubbys London, meine Fresse, wäre ich da mal geren auf ner Veranstaltung gewesen, zu der Zeit.Eine spannende Zeit in London. Zeigt auch mal die Subkulturen dieser Weltmetropole.Super Sound, gute Story, ein Hauch Blaxploitation! Watch out Babylon!Quali Top, Lieferung Top!

Someone somewhere has got this on video, a cousin, uncle or friend. For years this film, videoed from channel 4, has been passed around, copied, passed around and copied some more. This is my all time quintessential black british movie, I know it line from line, tune from tune. The acting is not acting but just life. The characters could be illussive family members, who as a youngster would think they were cool and funny.But seriously, this film tackles the harsh realities of black british life and culture in the 70's and 80's. The SUS laws, right wing hatred, black identity, the clashes between 1st and 2nd generation Caribbean immigrants and the phenomenal outlet of the sound system.The cast are brilliant, the leading actor Brinsley Forbes from Asward, does a great job. You will spot some other well known faces, like the guy from Brush stokes/flash ads and Beefy, dont know his real name, but say it to anyone in the know and they'll just laugh. He is the balls in this film, hard head, hot head, dont take no crap from anyone.Anyway hope i have done this film some justice, have been waiting about 25 years for it to come out on video let alone dvd. JUNGLE LION RAH!!.......... Oh yeah the soundtrack is mad.

Picture quality good’ great soundtrack

While there seems to be little to add to the many discussions & various views regarding this film ,I think for those who have seen this on a rare late night ch4 showing or have a copy from an old vhs recording, I can wholeheartedly recommended this DVD for the stunning improvements in its clarity, depth and colour range(& sound). Seen now in its intended ratio (1.78:1) with these improvements the film now in no way looks like 'a low budget UK quota filler'.The extras are a worthwhile commentary and a Q&A following a screening, both of which feature the director, producer ,many of the actors & others who brought the film to the screen & (eventually) home viewing & DVD release.There is an interesting item about the restoration of the film & it also has optional subtitles( reading some previous reviews I would recommend these for those not familiar with Jamaican/London style patois). Also included is a well designed booklet that has plenty of info + some good pics from the making of the film.If you've seen this before you'll know if you want a rerun. But for those who haven't ,why not take a musical & social trip back to the London of 1980 & see what you think - personally I think this film has appeal beyond just nostalgia or interest in JA/UK style culture, & stands up as a vivid document of the times, a story about growing up & friends ,social class & questions of race, with good acting from a cast of local talent & a few faces soon to be TV regulars. With some great Sound System footage with good music, including Dennis Bovell,V.Jackson,Jah Shaka & Aswad,whose lead vocalist Brinsley Forde does a fine job playing 'Blue' the conflicted main character.

We have had Blackjoy, Pressure & Burning An Illusion released to dvd but the job done on this dvd release is outstanding. My experience of this movie was via the bootleg that almost everyone had so to see it in its enhanced format with the added bonus' was & is a real treat.The Movie itself, Like Pressure & Burning An Illusion gives you a real insight into life for 1st & 2nd generation uk blacks & I have made a point of letting the younger generation watch these movies so as to see how far we have come & the struggle it took to get here. & dont let me get started on the soundtrack..... OUTSTANDING