From the Ashes

I belong to a generation which has not seen Botham play. I've grown up watching the next generation, watching Flintoff being compared to Botham, and wondering who is he anyway. Well, here you go. If you, like me, had seen England doing miracles in 2005, and thought such things were once in a lifetime, this is for you. If you love cricket, and think that cricket is a funny game, this is for you. If you love heroes, and love to hear stories of a phoenix rising from the ashes, this is for you. If you love watching the English win over the Aussies, this is for you! What a brilliant portrayal. Sporting achievements are fleeting, but the recollections last forever. And wouldn't you like to recollect one of the finest test series ever played?

This is a pretty good documentary. But it's a mainstream film designed to please people who aren't interested in cricket cricket.

It makes a great case for cricket but only cricket fans will watch it, and they'll enjoy it, but not as much as they would enjoy watching the highlights of the matches.

Like the 100 it's ultimately pointless. Designed to please people who don't like cricket. People who won't give it a chance. So why bother?

But my word, wasn't Sir Ian a beautiful, sweaty, sexy hunk?

A documentary on the 1981 Ashes cricket series - Australia vs England - in England. Through interviews with key players and officials we see the conflicts, trials, triumphs and tribulations of both teams. Moreover, we see the nadir-to-zenith arc of the man who will be synonymous with the series - Ian Botham.

A very entertaining and enlightening documentary on one of the most incredible Test series ever played, a series that should have been a comfortable Australian win but for the heroics of one man.

Quite engaging as we see the lows to which Botham's career had sunk and how things turned around. We get a feel for what caused the turnaround and the other factors which determined the ultimate result.

The interviews are generally quite constructive - the superficial cheerleading style of interview is largely avoided.

On the negative side, it is a bit dumbed down. Cricket lovers who already know the history of this series will find some aspects and details exaggerated, this all to appeal to those who aren't familiar with the history. I also could have done without the non-cricket happenings, especially the politics and the royal wedding.

From the Ashes is written and directed by James Erskine and narrated by Tom Hardy. It takes a look at the England v Australia Test Cricket Series in 1981.

"I think I'll bring the Gorilla on at the far end"

From the Ashes is essential viewing for cricket fans, whoever they support in the world. It showcases not just the considerable talents of England's greatest all rounder, Ian Botham, but also why the game of cricket is so loved by those who stand proud to be counted as fans. The documentary, however, is not just concerned with the sport of cricket, it's very aware of the impact that a country's sports stars can have on the nation.

Brearley was Botham's Spock to his Kirk.

The 1981 Ashes series was played to the backdrop of social discord as Thatcher's government oversaw strikes, riots and unemployment carnage. Britain was falling to its knees, and as the England cricket team, with their figurehead Botham misfiring and under fire in the press, fell behind to a cock-a-hoop Australia, apathy ruled and the crowds did dwindle. Leeds in mid July and England, the cricket team, were spiralling towards a certain defeat, but cometh the hour, cometh the men (Botham and Bob Willis), out of darkness comes light, the miracle of Headingly not only transformed a sporting series that England would amazingly win, it put the smile back on the faces of a working class Britain that had forgotten to do so.

Full of insightful input by the key Australians of that series (characters supreme they be as well), Erskine is not all about flag waving for Britannia, in fact a post script on the next Ashes series ensures we know about how Australian captain Kim Hughes (a beautiful and correct batsman himself) also came out of that cricket darkness. There's anecdotes, rivalries and revelations aplenty, while a soundtrack boasting the likes of The Clash, Ten Pole Tudour, The Specials, The Police, New Order and Squeeze sets the tone perfectly. The sound mix and editing is top draw as well (love those sound bites of a dramatic cricket incident played to a photographic still that says it all), and Hardy's narration proves he is heir apparent to Brian Blessed's crown!

Many other sports have participants these days that fail to realise just how their efforts can lift a nation, make them feel good in times of struggle, to play for what is on your chest and not what is in your wallet. From the Ashes at its core is about that, it's an ode to being all that you can be, to inspire, even if it happens to be only briefly. 9/10