I used to develop tv docs and there were programmes you’d pass up a hundred to sell. Series 2 of Empire of cricket last night was one such programme. I recieved a review copy last week and it was brilliant documentary tv. The opening film on English cricket was a tough one to start with. 1 hour to cover the history of English cricket without being simplistic; 1 hour to set a political, social and historical context, all aired at the crazy hour of 10.30pm sunday night. The schedulers love cricket at the BBC. The Windies film made it to 9pm this week. Thank god. Because it was a better film. It was a story of biblical flavour; slaves, masters, freedom, equality and men seeking respect from their fellow men, all played out through god’s game:Cricket.
It wasn’t without some bizarre views though. Apparently the “physical strength required for working cane fields meant that slaves developed a more athletic physique” than their white masters.
Post a Comment