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Reggae in a Babylon

  • 2005
  • PG-13
  • 55m
IMDb RATING
6.8/10
193
YOUR RATING
Reggae in a Babylon (2005)
DocumentaryMusic

The young, gifted and black generation of the 70's who started the British Reggae movement is captured in this unique documentary. Groove to the smooth sounds and see rare footage.The young, gifted and black generation of the 70's who started the British Reggae movement is captured in this unique documentary. Groove to the smooth sounds and see rare footage.The young, gifted and black generation of the 70's who started the British Reggae movement is captured in this unique documentary. Groove to the smooth sounds and see rare footage.

  • Director
    • Wolfgang Büld
  • Stars
    • Aswad
    • Alton Ellis
    • Jimmy Lindsay
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.8/10
    193
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Wolfgang Büld
    • Stars
      • Aswad
      • Alton Ellis
      • Jimmy Lindsay
    • 3User reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Photos1

    View Poster

    Top cast9

    Edit
    Aswad
    • Themselevs
    Alton Ellis
    • Self
    Jimmy Lindsay
    • Self
    Matumbi
    • Themselves
    Christine McNabb
    • Self (15 16 17)
    Wraydene McNabb
    • Self (15 16 17)
    Ronnie 'Stepper' McQueen
    • Self
    • (as Steel Pulse)
    Steel Pulse
    • Themselves
    Sonia Williams
    • Self (15 16 17)
    • Director
      • Wolfgang Büld
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews3

    6.8193
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    Featured reviews

    9rgoerss

    Classic Reggae Documentary

    For any fan of reggae music, this documentary provides a great window into the reggae scene in England during the 1970's. Musicians and fans of music in general may find the documentary interesting even if they are not particularly fans of reggae

    The movie contains a lot of footage of English reggae pioneers performing on the underground club circuit and has extensive interviews with prominent people involved with reggae music

    I highly recommend this movie to any fan of reggae, music or historical documentaries. You will not be disappointed by the mix of live music, recording footage and interviews present.
    10caramia2002

    Short and Sweet Vintage British Reggae

    I don't know much about Reggae history, but watching this German film (although in English), I thought it was made much earlier than 1978. Memory fails, I guess, even though I was a young adult then. Bob Marley was mega-famous by this time, and inspired many of these musicians, so duh. It was shot in 1978, so don't expect 1080p video. It's very watchable, though, and the soundtrack is remarkable, as this was not a lavish production.

    Most of this film consists of live performances (and a couple of "fake" studio lip synchs of cover songs) interspersed with interviews. The interviews are the smallest part of it, although they say a lot. I love the concept of the Jamaican "sound system", a Reggae rave or street party, where the DJ brought everything required to turn anyplace into a party.

    I most enjoyed the amazing performances by the band Steel Pulse, esp their 1978 single, Ku Kux Klan. Really great music of any genre and a wonderful anti-racism song. I didn't know the KKK were across the Atlantic, but then again, why not? It was brave of them (and Island, as it was their first single with the label) to release this single, even though they had to know it would get little to no airplay, then (or now, likely). Steel Pulse was in the first Rock Against Racism concert and were a great supporter of that movement.

    Even if you aren't a Reggae fan, it's mostly good music with great insights of the time, and I presume priceless for the Steel Pulse, and other, footage. I loved seeing all the vintage equipment, fashion and style from that time, in that time.
    9njboden

    Interesting and historically informative film.

    I watched this film and enjoyed listening to early British reggae and especially the interviews discussing the history of reggae and the influences and challenges of the early pioneers. It was fascinating to learn that reggae was originally a dance rather than a music genre, for example. Another nugget of trivia that I was unaware of was that the KKK actually visited Britain in the year after Steel Pulse released the song KKK. At only 49mins of playtime, there's never a dull moment and if ever you have an hour spare in the day but no longer then put this on if you haven't seen it already. Currently available on NetFlix, at least in the U. K.

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    Storyline

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    Did you know

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    • Trivia
      The Dexter Road [Brixton, South London] seen within this film no longer exists. Since the filming of this documentary, much regeneration has happened. The Dexter Road [Harefield, North West London] that exists [today] has no connection with the film here.
    • Soundtracks
      Ku Klux Klan
      (Island Records)

      (1978)

      Written by David Hinds

      Performed by Steel Pulse

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • May 2, 2005 (United Kingdom)
    • Country of origin
      • West Germany
    • Also known as
      • Reggae in Babylon
    • Filming locations
      • Dexter Road SE24. London, England, UK(location, street scenes, archive footage)
    • Production companies
      • Stein Film
      • Westdeutscher Rundfunk (WDR)
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

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    • Runtime
      55 minutes

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