Babylon (1980)

The movie centres around Brindsley Forde's character Blue. He fronts a reggae sound system based in West London. The film captures the trials and tribulations of young black youths in troubled London in the early eighties.

Director:

Franco Rosso

Writers:

Franco Rosso, Martin Stellman

Stars:

David N. Haynes, Trevor Laird, Victor Romero Evans

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
David N. Haynes	...	Errol
Trevor Laird	...	Beefy
Victor Romero Evans	...	Lover
Brian Bovell	...	Scientist
Archie Pool	...	Dreadhead
Brinsley Forde	...	Blue
Karl Howman	...	Ronnie
Beverley Michaels	...	Elaine (as Beverly Michaels)
Ann Duncan	...	Beefy's Girl
Beverley Dublin	...	Sandra
King Sounds	...	Compere
Cynthia Powell	...	Mum
T-Bone Wilson	...	Wesley (as T.Bone Wilson)
Mark Monero	...	Carlton
Vilma Hollingbery	...	Lady in Street

Storyline

Babylon follows the story of David, a working class musician and black man in South East London. By day he works as a mechanic, at night David is a Mic controller at a local dance hall. The film centres around the racial divide of London in the 80s, the lack of opportunities available to black people and poverty. David loses his job, gets beaten up and charged by the police, forcing him to go on the run. Then breaking up with his girlfriend, all of his frustrations culminate in the stabbing of a racist neighbour.

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Plot Keywords:

gay bashing | british renaissance | london england | racist police | stabbing | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Did You Know?

Trivia

The police car [TYR 785M] is a Hillman Hunter whose date of first registration being 14th September 1973 and has a petrol engine with a cylinder capacity of 1725. Its last "Date of last V5C (logbook) issued" being 10th June 1986 with a "Tax due: 1st November 1986".

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Goofs

This is likely to be a 'deliberate error by the film-makers', but in one scene you see two characters putting up a poster advertising a gig. The date shown is Saturday 23rd December (year unspecified). The nearest year that this date fell on was 1978, which is 2 years before the film was released. It is possible that various anachronisms in the film may occur due to this, for example release dates of records, or registration number plates of new cars.

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Quotes

Alan: Oi!
Blue: What?
Alan: D'you wanna know something?
Blue: What?
Alan: You got too much of this.
[mouth]
Blue: Yeah?
Alan: Yeah.
Alan: Especially for a coon. I don't like moneys who get too clever in my garage. In other words son, you're fucking out. D'you understand?

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Soundtracks

Deliver Me From My Enemies
by Yabby U

User Reviews

Absolutely one of its kind..........

Saw this film in 1983, had it on tape - but cant find it!! Now, over 20 years on, I still remember several scenes word 4 word, as me and my cousins acted it out, especially Beefy's scene at the end - entering dance hall with big machete tucked down his tight red tracksuit while everyone was bubbling to "Warrior Charge". And yes Karl Howman (from Flash ads) is wickedly funny with his accent "Cho man we dealing pure wickedness" Aaahhh Love it. The film is a masterpiece, don't know why I cant find it on DVD or VHS - if anyone knows where it can be obtained - Please let me know. Also looking for No Problem - UK comedy which starred Janet Kaye, Victor Romero Evans with Beastie and Tosh too!!

Details

Country:

UK Italy

Language:

English

Release Date:

November 1980 (UK)

Also Known As:

Babylon

Filming Locations:

London, England, UK

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$21,214, 10 March 2019

Gross USA:

$109,749

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$109,749

Company Credits

Production Co:

Diversity Music

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1