For anyone with even the merest scintilla of interest in the Caribbean this is quite simply a must-see movie.
The brainchild of Ben Goldsmith, three years in the making and superbly directed by Stevan Riley with a classic reggae soundtrack, it’s ostensibly the story of the West Indies all conquering cricket team of the 1970's and 80's which was arguably the greatest side in the history of any sport worldwide and unbeaten in Test series over an incredible fifteen year time span.
Yet cricket is only the backdrop as the narrative unfolds through apartheid in South Africa and riots in England, the film becoming more a multi-layered, socio-cultural exposition of the effects of colonialism, racism and the gradual emergent confidence of post independence nations fuelled by the West Indian game and its legendary players.
All the obvious suspects are interviewed, the iconic Sir Vivian Richards, Clive Lloyd, the destructive pace bowling battery of Michael Holding, Andy Roberts, Colin Croft and Joel Garner, wicketkeeper Deryck Murray and the Barbadian opening batsmen Gordon Greenidge and Desmond Haynes, but some of the most riveting commentary is delivered by remarkable characters virtually unknown outside of their own island confines - the Rastafarian elder and radio man King Frank-I and photographer Colin “Bones” Cumberbatch, both long term associates of Richards in Antigua, and the engaging groundsman at Sabina Park, Kingston, Charlie Joseph. But perhaps the most extraordinary coup is the appearance of that high priest of reggae, Bunny Wailer, a virtual recluse for nigh on a quarter century at his farm in St Thomas, Jamaica, spouting eloquently forth on how Caribbean cricket carried a crucial message to the white world, of slaves whipping their erstwhile masters, and all beautifully stitched together with rare archive footage.
Some of the cricket imagery is perhaps violent and shocking to the uninitiated, the fear and courage self evident - there’s blood and broken bones - it’s a dangerous game after all, with death a very real spectre, especially when helmets were not yet de rigueur. Richards, the Master Blaster, is quite rightly central to the plot, an inspirational figure, a deeply emotional leader of men, still is in fact; I’ve been privileged to be admitted to his court for thirty years and asked him once what he thought about some terrible stick he’d received from the British press. “Man”, he growled, “I’m a warrior not a worrier”. Nothing’s changed - he calls Bob Marley’s anthems, “battlefield music, the sound of upliftment”. In short, it’s a compelling piece of work on all counts with current players admitting to being moved and enlightened by it. It went on general release in the UK on 20 May, 2011 after earlier premieres around the Caribbean and is already available on DVD and Blue-Ray. Don’t miss it.
