Bodyline 1932-33

[Lillian Thomson]

I've just watched three accounts of this series. One, a DVD documentary from Australia "It's Not Cricket". Two, a drama-documentary series from 1984 which is fairly entertaining but the cricket scenes are pretty awful and some of the facts not very accurate in terms of persons present during that tour. Thirdly and by far the best is a 40 minute documentary produced by the BBC in 1983. Includes interviews with many of the players involved including Harold Larwood, Gubby Allen, Bill Bowes, Bob Wyatt and many more. Unfortunately Bradman chose not to participate. It was amazing to see how many of the players from that series were still alive fifty years later and still loved talking about the matches.

 

[steds]

Let's hope Michael Vaughan has something similarly effective up his sleeve...

 

[BoyBrumby]

I'd strongly recommend David Frith's Bodyline Autopsy as the best book yet written on the subject. It's quite impeccably researched (uncovering one genuine scoop) and does it readers the credit of allowing them to make their own minds up about the events.

Christopher Douglas's Douglas Jardine Spartan Cricketer is also well worth a read. It paints a rather different picture of Jardine than the coldly arrogant Pommie autocrat of popular (Aussie) legend.

BTW, is the Bodyline mini-series available on DVD in the UK? I saw it once as a kid many, many years back & thoroughly enjoyed it. I'd like to see it again.

 

[Lillian Thomson]

I've ordered the David Frith book and look forward to reading it. The mini-series has only been released in Australia at the moment but you can get it from UK suppliers on eBay or order it from one of many Australian Online DVD retailers.

 

[archie mac]

I'd strongly recommend David Frith's Bodyline Autopsy as the best book yet written on the subject. It's quite impeccably researched (uncovering one genuine scoop) and does it readers the credit of allowing them to make their own minds up about the events.

Christopher Douglas's Douglas Jardine Spartan Cricketer is also well worth a read. It paints a rather different picture of Jardine than the coldly arrogant Pommie autocrat of popular (Aussie) legend.

BTW, is the Bodyline mini-series available on DVD in the UK? I saw it once as a kid many, many years back & thoroughly enjoyed it. I'd like to see it again.

Just finished Bodyline Autopsy, I agree the best account of the most written about series in Cricket history. I have read 6 books dealing with the subject, and many more about the series (bios on Bradman, O'Reilly, Larwood ect.) If people do not want to 'heavy' an account of the series, Bodyline the novel is not to bad a read, although it was slammed by the critics. I have the DVD series just need the time to watch it now (less time spent on here might help)

 

[Simon]

I've just watched three accounts of this series. One, a DVD documentary from Australia "It's Not Cricket". Two, a drama-documentary series from 1984 which is fairly entertaining but the cricket scenes are pretty awful and some of the facts not very accurate in terms of persons present during that tour. Thirdly and by far the best is a 40 minute documentary produced by the BBC in 1983. Includes interviews with many of the players involved including Harold Larwood, Gubby Allen, Bill Bowes, Bob Wyatt and many more. Unfortunately Bradman chose not to participate. It was amazing to see how many of the players from that series were still alive fifty years later and still loved talking about the matches.

is that the one where Gary Sweet played Bradman?

 

[archie mac]

is that the one where Gary Sweet played Bradman?

Thats the one, also Hugo Weaving (matrix) as Jardine. I think I am right in saying this is still the highest rating Aust. made mini series.

 

[C_C]

Another good book on bodyline is the one written by Derek Birley.

 

[Simon]

not sure, tbh with you i didnt know anything about it until i saw it on sale in a DVD shop last week, i had to pick it up and have a look, theres just something about Gary Sweet playing Bradman that doesnt sit well with me!
ill probably buy it now....

 

[C_C]

One big Myth about bodyline i find is the notion that Jardine thought up the bowling tactic while on route to Australia by boat.
For Bodyline was tried atleast a season before that infamous series in English County cricket.

 

[archie mac]

Another good book on bodyline is the one written by Derek Birley.

Must have missed that one. What year was that published?

 

[archie mac]

One big Myth about bodyline i find is the notion that Jardine thought up the bowling tactic while on route to Australia by boat.
For Bodyline was tried atleast a season before that infamous series in English County cricket.

Yes that is true, I don't think the fielding postions were quite as aggressive though. He obtained them from Frank Foster before the team left for Australia.

 

[C_C]

I will look it up soon....when i can clean up my desk that is...but i think its called 'A social history of English Cricket'.
Its a wonderful book that painstakingly traces the historical and social origins/rammifications of cricket from the 1600s/1700s all the way to 1970s packer incident.

 

[crickhowell]

One big Myth about bodyline i find is the notion that Jardine thought up the bowling tactic while on route to Australia by boat.
For Bodyline was tried atleast a season before that infamous series in English County cricket.

Jardine and the MCC agreed months before the tour to use an agressive version of 'leg-theory ' and there was even a meeting between Jardine, Larwood, the other bowler and a couple of members of MCC to talk about it, as talked about in 'its just not cricket'.

 

[Nate]

Yeah, I bought this for a source for my history essay. I`ve read a gazzillion books on Bodyline since and it`s all damn interesting. Wouldn`t mind seeing the latest movie.

 

[archie mac]

Yeah, I bought this for a source for my history essay. I`ve read a gazzillion books on Bodyline since and it`s all damn interesting. Wouldn`t mind seeing the latest movie.

Is there a latest movie?

 

[Nate]

Is there a latest movie?

The one with Hugo.

 

[archie mac]

You had me excited there

This one was first televised in the 80s, but has just be released to DVD/Video

 

[Nate]

You had me excited there

This one was first televised in the 80s, but has just be released to DVD/Video

Yeah, I knew that.

Haha, thanks.

 

[Lillian Thomson]

The BBC really ought to do something commercially with their 40 Minute documentary. As far as I know it hasn't been shown since it's original airing in 1984. It has a great interview with Larwood who was interviewed by Fred Truman and also has interviews with Bill Bowes, Gubby Allen and Bob Wyatt who played for England in the series and Bill O'Reilly, Leo O'Brien and Harry Alexander who played for Australia. It also has contributions from Joe Hardstaff, Jim Swanton and Dennis Monkhouse who all have personal recollections from the series and great archive footage of Bradman and Jardine and superb newsreel coverage of the action. This program is a real gem and to leave it gathering dust in the archives is a terrible waste.