Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		2.5
Overall		4.0

Babylon Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov February 18, 2009

Fully restored and remastered, Franco Rosso’s cult "Babylon" (1980) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of UK-based distributors Icon Home Entertainment. The film is regarded by many as a milestone in the history of British Black Independent Cinema. Region-Free.

On the streets of Brixton

Film distributors have not been kind to British Independent Cinema from the early ‘80s. If you put aside some of the more prominent works by Mike Leigh and Ken Loach that have been successful at important film festivals around Europe and Asia, there are probably only about a dozen or so independent British films that you would be able to track down on DVD. The British Film Institute (BFI) and Optimum Releasing (via StudioCanal) have been attempting to change this sad reality, but it will probably take a long time until we can finally say that there is enough on the market for film buffs to explore.

British Black Independent Cinema from the early '80s is even less represented on the market. Indeed, the few films that made it to VHS are nowadays only accessible through film libraries at large academic institutions. Also, these releases are typically of average to poor quality, which means that viewing the films that are on them could be quite a frustrating experience.

Considering this seriously depressing state of affairs, I was enormously surprised to see Franco Rosso's cult film Babylon transition to Blu-ray. In fact, initially I assumed that there was a press error and the film was getting only a DVD release, which is why I then reached out to Icon Home Entertainment to get a clarification. However, an upcoming Blu-ray release was instantly confirmed.

Babylon became a cult film for a number of particular reasons. First, it really was the only black British film during the early '80s to speak to its audiences with a voice that they could understand and trust. Its story focused on a group of young black men from Brixton -- Blue (Brinsley Forde), Beefy (Trevor Laird), Spark (Brian Bovell), Lover (Victor Romero Evans), and Wesley (T-Bone Wilson) -- who had to overcome the same issues many minority groups in the UK were struggling with. Written and directed by two white men -- Franco Rosso and Martin Stellman -- Babylon also featured an explosive soundtrack which helped tremendously its promotional campaign. This is how I discovered the film, through a music promotion of its soundtrack that was done by an independent radio station that kept playing the popular tracks by reggae legends Aswad, Michael Prophet, and Yabby U. (The soundtrack also features original music by Denis Bovell).

Rosso's film also managed to accurately capture the social and class tensions that were running high in the UK at the time. It has a very casual sense of humor that can be a bit misleading, but ultimately the film touches upon violence, segregation, and social injustice in much the same way as John Singleton’s Boyz n the Hood did on this side of the Atlantic. I actually have a theory that years later, after Boyz n the Hood got really big, plenty of people recognized this similarity and consequently introduced it to an entirely new generation of viewers.

Rosso and Martin Stellman's script is a bit rough and some parts of the narrative do not connect particularly well. As a result, from time to time it certainly feels like the film does not have a chosen direction and essentially switches into ‘autopilot’ mode. On the other hand, the raw fluidity that emerges from it gives it a borderline Cassavetes-esque vibe which actually ends up strengthening its authenticity. It is a unique project for sure, and really a piece of history that should not be missed.

Babylon Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC, and granted a 1080p transfer, Franco Rosso's Babylon arrives on Blu- ray courtesy of UK-based Icon Home Entertainment.

I am very impressed with how good Babylon looks. Contrast and clarity here are simply stunning, the color-scheme fabulous, and detail very strong. Furthermore, this newly restored transfer has not been DNR-altered either. On the contrary, the 1080p presentation offers a good dose of natural film-grain. For the record, edge-enhancement and macroblocking are most definitely not an issue of concern. Also, I must note that those of you with large screens and projectors will more than likely be very pleased with how tight the image looks as well. Having seen what Babylon looked before (and I mean before Icon Home Entertainment released it on DVD), I must say that this new Blu- ray transfer is quite the revelation. Finally, there are no debris, scratches, or dirt. (Note: Even though this Blu-ray disc is marketed as Region-B, it is in fact Region-Free. Therefore, you will be able to play it on your PS3 or SA regardless of your geographical location).

Babylon Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There is only one audio track on this Blu-ray disc: a Patois English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0. First of all, it is very easy to tell that the audio has also undergone a massive restoration because Dennis Bovell's soundtrack comes off the speakers with plenty of clarity and depth. The dialog is crystal clear, though I would not say that it is easy to follow and understand (for obvious reasons, you will more than likely end up using the optional English subtitles). Furthermore, there isn't any substantial activity in the rear channels, which is understandable given the age of the film and the manner in which it was shot. Still, I think that the DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 allows for notably more depth and improved dynamics than the Dolby Digital 2.0 track from the DVD release does. Finally, I would like to point out that the English subtitles are very well done and extremely helpful. They are white and optional.

Babylon Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

An audio commentary for the newly restored transfer of Babylon with director Franco Rosso, associate producer Martin Stellman, actor Brinsley Forde and producer Gavrik Losey is the first extra on this Blu-ray disc. During the commentary you will hear a lot of comments addressing the history of the film, what inspired it, how it was made possible as well as a detailed analysis of specific scenes. Next is Q +A with the Cast + Crew that was recorded at BFI Southbank on September 11th, 2008. Here you will hear even more personal recollections and thoughts about the film from the cast and crew (for the record, there is great atmosphere during the session with plenty of jokes being exchanged). Finally, there is a Restoration Featurette that allows us to see the enormous effort that has gone into making Babylon look as it does on this Blu-ray disc.

Babylon Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

I cannot recommend highly enough this film to those of you interested in British Black Independent Cinema. Babylon is a true cultural phenomenon from the early '80s that will certainly continue to be analyzed and studied by film critics and casual filmgoers in the years to come. The Blu- ray disc herein reviewed, courtesy of Icon Home Entertainment, is nothing short of spectacular. In fact, I would say that it is an event worthy of grand celebration. Bravo to the UK distributors for giving this important film a new life. Very Highly Recommended.