X
  • 2019
  • Seventy-Seven
  • 1 h 35 m
  • 2019
  • Seventy-Seven
  • 1 h 35 m

Summary Never-before released in North America, Franco Rosso's incendiary Babylon had its world premiere at Cannes in 1980 but was banned from the New York Film Festival that same year for "being too controversial, and likely to incite racial tension" (Vivien Goldman, Time Out). Raw and smoldering, it follows a young dancehall DJ (Brinsley Forde...

Directed By: Franco Rosso

Written By: Martin Stellman, Franco Rosso

  • 2019
  • Seventy-Seven
  • 1 h 35 m
  • 2019
  • Seventy-Seven
  • 1 h 35 m

Babylon

Metascore Generally Favorable Based on 9 Critic Reviews
80
User Score Mixed or Average Based on 4 User Ratings
6.0
My Score
Hover and click to give a rating Saved

Where to Watch

Summary Never-before released in North America, Franco Rosso's incendiary Babylon had its world premiere at Cannes in 1980 but was banned from the New York Film Festival that same year for "being too controversial, and likely to incite racial tension" (Vivien Goldman, Time Out). Raw and smoldering, it follows a young dancehall DJ (Brinsley Forde...

Directed By: Franco Rosso

Written By: Martin Stellman, Franco Rosso

Where to Watch

Top Cast

View All
View All Cast & Crew

Critic Reviews

 View All
Metascore
Generally Favorable Based on 9 Critic Reviews
80
89% Positive
8 Reviews
11% Mixed
1 Review
0% Negative
0 Reviews

  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews

Critic Reviews

 View All
Metascore
Generally Favorable Based on 9 Critic Reviews
80
89% Positive
8 Reviews
11% Mixed
1 Review
0% Negative
0 Reviews

  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews
90
Mar 9, 2019
All of that observation in Babylon amounts to something that still feels new. You’re looking at people who, in 1980 England, were, at last, being properly, seriously seen.
By Wesley Morris FULL REVIEW
90
Mar 6, 2019
An English cousin to the earlier Jamaica-set films "The Harder They Come" and "Rockers" that is vastly superior in cinematic terms and just as valuable as a cultural document.
By John DeFore FULL REVIEW
80
Mar 14, 2019
The cast’s rumble and spark are draw enough, but there’s also Chris Menges’ textured urban cinematography and Rosso’s empathetic direction, like neorealism rewired and amplified.
By Robert Abele FULL REVIEW
80
Mar 5, 2019
Although the script runs out of steam by the end, the sharp use of location, the meticulous detailing of black culture, the uniformly excellent performances and stimulating soundtrack command attention.
FULL REVIEW
78
Apr 3, 2019
Babylon's cultural specificity is what gives it power, putting it as much in a tradition of British alienated youth movies like Brighton Rock and Quadrophenia (not coincidentally written by Babylon scriptwriter Martin Stellman).
FULL REVIEW
70
Mar 5, 2019
The lead performances are so genuine and the dialogue, with tones ranging from unbridled glee to utter hatred, is so pure that you think at times that you’re watching a documentary. Babylon is a vivid, though flawed, story that offers no clear villains or angels. Instead, it gives you the truth.
By Candice Frederick FULL REVIEW
50
Mar 7, 2019
In short, Babylon is bland and sadly, should be much better.
By Jonathan Christian FULL REVIEW

User Reviews

 View All
User Score
Mixed or Average Based on 4 User Ratings
6.0
25% Positive
1 Rating
75% Mixed
3 Ratings
0% Negative
0 Ratings

User Reviews

 View All
User Score
Mixed or Average Based on 4 User Ratings
6.0
25% Positive
1 Rating
75% Mixed
3 Ratings
0% Negative
0 Ratings

There are no user reviews yet. Be the first to add a review.

Details

 View All
Production Company Diversity Music
Release Date Mar 8, 2019
Duration 1 h 35 m
Genres
Tagline Never before released in the U.S.
Website https://www.facebook.com/babylonthemovie/
View All Details

Related Movies

Dekalog (1988)

100
Universal Acclaim

The Leopard (re-release)

100
Universal Acclaim

Boyhood

100
Universal Acclaim

Casablanca

100
Universal Acclaim

Three Colors: Red

100
Universal Acclaim

Citizen Kane

100
Universal Acclaim

Lawrence of Arabia (re-release)

100
Universal Acclaim

The Godfather

100
Universal Acclaim

Tokyo Story

100
Universal Acclaim

The Conformist

100
Universal Acclaim

Notorious

100
Universal Acclaim

Fanny and Alexander (re-release)

100
Universal Acclaim

Touch of Evil

99
Universal Acclaim

Army of Shadows

99
Universal Acclaim

City Lights

99
Universal Acclaim

Moonlight

99
Universal Acclaim

Intolerance

99
Universal Acclaim

The Rules of the Game

99
Universal Acclaim

Seven Samurai

98
Universal Acclaim

The Wild Bunch

98
Universal Acclaim

Au hasard Balthazar

98
Universal Acclaim

Pépé le Moko (re-release)

98
Universal Acclaim

Related News

2024 Movie Release Calendar

2024 Movie Release Calendar

Jason Dietz

Find release dates for every movie coming to theaters, VOD, and streaming throughout 2024 and beyond, updated weekly.

  • movie
Every Zack Snyder Movie, Ranked

Every Zack Snyder Movie, Ranked

Nick Hyman

With the arrival of Zack Snyder's latest Rebel Moon chapter on Netflix, we rank every one of the director's films—from bad to, well, less bad—by Metascore.

  • movie
Every Guy Ritchie Movie, Ranked

Every Guy Ritchie Movie, Ranked

Nick Hyman

We rank every one of the British director's movies by Metascore, from his debut Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels to his brand new film, The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare.

  • movie
April Movie Preview (2024)

April Movie Preview (2024)

Keith Kimbell

The month ahead will bring new films from Alex Garland, Luca Guadagnino, Dev Patel, and more. To help you plan your moviegoing options, our editors have selected the most notable films releasing in April 2024, listed in alphabetical order.

  • movie
DVD/Blu-ray Releases: New & Upcoming

DVD/Blu-ray Releases: New & Upcoming

Jason Dietz

Find a list of new movie and TV releases on DVD and Blu-ray (updated weekly) as well as a calendar of upcoming releases on home video.

  • movie