- Overview
A documentary about Botham, Brearley and two stunning Ashes wins of 1981.
- Release Date
10 May 2011
- DirectingJames Erskine
- Budget
$0.00
- Revenue
$0.00
- Stars
Videos
User Reviews
See moreJohn Chard
16 May 2024
Out of adversity comes triumph. 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
More Like This
Leader of the Pack
Billy Hicks has been coaching basketball for over 40 years. He is the winningest high school basketball coach in the state of Kentucky. This...
See more
In the Game
Through the stories of a Hispanic girls soccer team at Kelly High School in Chicago, IN THE GAME illustrates the enormous challenges facing...
See more
Jamie Anderson's Unconditional
Jamie Anderson has won more X Games and Olympic medals than any other woman in history. Being the best competitive snowboarder of all time is an...
See more
Face of Winter
Watch the world’s best skiers and riders cover ground in some of the most legendary destinations to honor a face that launched a thousand quips and...
See more
Robbo: The Bryan Robson Story
Robbo is a remarkable feature film that tells the story of one of England and Manchester United’s greatest ever midfielders. From a working class...
See more
Olympia: Part One – Festival of the Nations
Commissioned to make a propaganda film about the 1936 Olympic Games in Germany, director Leni Riefenstahl created a celebration of the human form...
See more
Olympia: Part Two – Festival of Beauty
Commissioned to make a propaganda film about the 1936 Olympic Games in Germany, director Leni Riefenstahl created a celebration of the human form...
See more
Germany: A Summer's Fairytale
A documentary of the German national soccer team’s 2006 World Cup experience that changed the face of modern Germany.
See more
In Deep With Ryan Lochte
Four years after Ryan Lochte's scandal at the 2016 Olympics, the father of two tries once more to make his way onto the U.S. Olympic team and prove...
See more
France, Here We Come!
FRANKREICH WIR KOMMEN is a highly enjoyable documentary, obviously intended for TV, but showing at film festivals. It shows us the highlights of...
See more
The Weight of Gold
Just like one in five Americans, many Olympic athletes similarly face serious mental health challenges and struggle to find the necessary support...
See moreJesse Owens Returns to Berlin
The rise of National Socialism in Germany and Hitler’s anti-semitic policies and advocation of the superiority of the Aryan race resulted in...
See more
Make Us Dream
Steven Gerrard became perhaps the greatest player in the history of Liverpool FC, but did so when success and trophies were declining. It became...
See more
Merci les Bleus !
Right to the end, they thrilled the whole of France and turned this sporting event into a moment of jubilation. In this never-before-seen...
See more
Faded Glory: The Von Erich Story
This is the story of the ill-fated Von Erich family, almost all of whom died tragically before their time. Intercut with match and home video...
See moreMad Rise: The Story of Australian Basketball
Charts the remarkable rise of Australian basketball, following the real stories of the players and coaches responsible for the sport's ascendancy...
See more
Magic & Bird: A Courtship of Rivals
An exploration of the fierce rivalry between NBA superstars Larry Bird and Magic Johnson during their decade of dominance.
See more
Raise Up: The World Is Our Gym
An underground urban fitness movement risks losing its identity as a social tool as it becomes the fastest growing new sport. Born on the streets...
See more