Babylon (1980) - Engagement Party scene

This is one of my favourite scenes from the the British movie called Babylon. It provides some comic relief in the middle of an otherwise intense and brooding film. Here "Loverboy" (played by Victor Romero Evans) reluctantly attends his own engagement party where he fails to impress his soon-to-be father in law. The Lover's Rock track playing at the end is by Cassandra and is called Thank You For The Many Things You've Done.

I was a barely out of nappies when Babylon was released, but I learned about in my teens by which time, it had developed a reputation as a cult classic. It used to be really hard to find. I bought a VHS copy from a stall in the Bull Ring in Birmingham in the nineties. But the copy was terrible and it just wouldn't play the last half hour of the film (that's what life was like back then in the pre-DVD age). I had to wait years until it was finally released on DVD a couple of years ago.

Babylon depicts life for Black Youth at the turn of the 1980s. It mainly focuses on Blue (played by Brinsley Forde) who is trying desperately to make something of himself in the face of all kinds of pressures. His main source of stability and belonging come from his soundsystem - Ital Lion.

The film hightlights themes of generational conflict, racism and urban decay - all against a musical backdrop of some sublime Reggae & Dub. Probably the best thing about the film is the score, provided by Dennis Bovell and featuring musicianship from members of the (still) mighty Aswad. I highly recomment you purchase both the DVD and the soundtrack.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• Aswad
• I-Roy
• Yabby
• You
• Michael
• Prophet
• Matumbi
• Reggae
• Marley
• Roots
• Linton
• Kwesi
• Johnson
• Dub
• Poetry
• Margaret
• Thatcher

[charanjit1974]

This was the song I danced to on my wedding day. The first song. I just wanna say thank you for the many thing's you have done. Tune, I would recomend anyone getting married out there, this is defintelty one song to dance to....

I love this song and the film, loved it!!

[AfricansArise]

@charanjit1974 Nice one! 

[Lin7on]

@AfricansArise I watched this movie for the 1st time this morning & my father is an 'extra' in the opening scenes. You wouldn't happen to know the name of the song where blue is being pursued by the police would you? Love that song

[AfricansArise]

@Lin7on Yep, the song's called Manhunter. I recommend you buy the Babylon soundtrack if you can.

[dav01kar]

remember this film, my fav part over 30yrs ago,where has time gone,lion!!

[charanjit1974]

This was the song I danced to on my wedding day. I just wanna say thank you for the many thing's you have done. Tune, I would recomend anyone getting married out there, this is defintelty one song to dance to....

I love this song and the film, loved it!!

[HerroHerrar]

just saw this

[AdAnthony1]

Classic film, sad dark but very relevant......

[malarki5]

Great lol