MovieChat Forums > London: The Modern Babylon (2012) Discussion > Is this actually any good - or just a ca...

Is this actually any good - or just a cash-in?

posted 12 years ago by jimthing1
5 replies | jump to latest

...like his Glastonbury film was.
Anyone seen this new one?

Unfortunately I find Temple's docs rather obvious most of the time.

I mean I just saw a promo for this, and guess what music was used as the bed track:
"London Calling" by The Clash – oh how obvious can you get; grow-up man and get an original idea for once.

If that's the way it goes on, then same ol' boring.

[–] ofumalow 12 years ago

Cashing in on what? On the existence of the city of London? I saw this in Toronto and it's got a huge array of archival footage, and music--very little of which is as obvious as the Clash song.

[–] jimthing1 11 years ago

...erm, obviously the Olympics, that was on at the same time this was.

[–] marlarkey 11 years ago

I think its a pretty good telling of the history and development of London through the 20th century as told through interviews and film archives.

[–] moilane 9 years ago

What, a cash-in on the Olympics? Hell no, this one had an astounding wealth of archival footage to draw from, and even more importantly, it was put together with a distinctively personal vision. Just a brilliant documentary all around, probably my favourite of all Temple films, fiction included.

[–] ilahilda 7 years ago

Unfortunately the DVD I borrowed from a local library was flawed, since I was able to see the last part of this great film. It kept stopping although I cleaned the DVD. Otherwise, I thought the film was fascinating. Especially the rare archival footage. I love learning about countries around the world. I highly recommend it.