MovieChat Forums > Bodyline (1984) Discussion > Accuracy of venues

Accuracy of venues

posted 18 years ago by Seahorse66
4 replies | jump to latest

Whilst Bodyline was highly entertaining, it seems all the venues looked like Sydney. In the first test in Sydney, Woodfull and Ponsford looked very comfortable, yet the score had reached only 16. When Bradman was batting in the Second test in Melbourne, he was flaying the attack, yet his score did not reflect that as he was on 31 when he looked like he was on about 80.
The 1930 series in England was made to look like a one-sided thrashing to Australia, however it was 1-all until the final test at the Oval.
John Walton's portrayal of Bill Woodfull was not accurate.

[–] sdavmor 18 years ago

Yes, all the venues look like Sydney...because all the venues are Sydney. All the cricket action was filmed there. Too bad the producers didn't send a 2nd unit to the other test grounds to get even a handful of pavillion shots that could have been inserted for flavour.

You're wrong about the historical results. The series was a 4-1 crushing victory by England (1. Eng by 10 wickets, 2. Aus by 111 runs, 3. Eng by 338 runs, 4. Eng by 6 wickets, 5. Eng by 8 wickets). All the scorecards are online at http://www.334notout.com/

Recommended reading: "Bodyline Autopsy" by David Frith. One of the best cricket books I've ever read. Well researched and well written. Highly informative, presenting all viewpoints.

[–] badtemplar 18 years ago

When Bodyline was filmed in 1984 none of the stands from the 32-33 season remained at the MCG.

They could have filmed at Adelaide. I'm not sure about the Exhibition Ground in Brisbane.

I just think the production was just a very Sydney-based affair.

[–] brupey-1 12 years ago

I'm not sure about the Exhibition Ground in Brisbane.
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The Brisbane test was played at The 'Gabba.

[–] Seahorse66 18 years ago

You didn't read my post properly. I did say "1930" series, not the Bodyline series itself.

Results in 1930 were as follows:
1st test: England won by 93 runs
2nd Test: Australia won by 7 wickets
3rd test: Match Drawn (this was the match where Bradman scored 309 in a day, and he went on to a then record 334).
4th Test: match drawn
5th test: Australia won by an Innings and 39 runs.
This was a ground breaking series, as it was the one where Bradman made his name as a superstar and also prompted Jardine to do unprecedented research on how to stop the Australian batting superman.
The Bodyline results you got right, but that was 1932-3 in Australia, not 1930.

Seriously, the SCG clock should not have been in view when a match was taking place at a non Sydney ground. Another goof was Leslie Ames keeping close to the wicket to Larwood. The part where Ironmonger goes out at No.11 and has everyone's heart in their mouth as he has to survive three balls to help Bradman get 100 was superb; Especially the quotes Ames: "Another coat of varnish" and Ironmonger "You're a Pommy bastard".
One thing that can be difficult when making films taking place in a different era is knowing how people spoke at the time. I have a DVD which shows archival footage during 1930, and their style of speaking is very different to the way some characters spoke.