Bodyline - It's Just Not Cricket - DVD

Bodyline is the most emotive word in the history of Test Cricket.

'Bodyline' bowling and the events that transpired during the 1932-33 Test Series between Australia and England spread far beyond the cricket field. The furore created by 'Bodyline' soured Anglo-Australian relations and caused diplomatic shock waves that were felt in the corridors of Canberra and Whitehall.

What the cricket world came to know as 'Bodyline' were tactics primarily used by the England Captain Douglas Jardine to curb the prolific scoring of the batting genius Don Bradman. The bowlers used to spearhead the 'Bodyline' assault were the opening pair from Nottingham, Harold Larwood and Bill Voce.

The immortal words uttered by Australia's Captain Bill Woodfull have now become part of cricket folklore:

"There are two teams out there, one is playing cricket. The other is making no attempt to do so!"

The documentary draws on archival film, photographs and interviews with historians, writers and family members of some of the principal characters involved in the 'Bodyline' saga.

This is really quite a lovely transfer. Presented in an aspect ratio of 1.78:1, it also benefits from being 16x9 enhanced. With the transfer containing a mixture of old and new footage, the quality is obviously going to differ greatly, but the new interview material is excellent, being sharp, clear, and brilliantly vibrant in colour. It is also presented using the full 1.78:1 screen. The older archival material suffers from being 70 years old. Scratched, muddy at times, and in brilliant black and white or sepia-tone, it is as expected. The very existence of much of this footage is enough of a wonder in its own right.

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