Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2066 in DVD
• Released on: 2005-07-11
• Rating: Exempt
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Format: PAL
• Original language: English
• Subtitled in: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 109 minutes

Synopsis
The summer of '81 saw cricketer Ian Botham set the Ashes alight at Headingley when he played one of the most memorable innings of modern times. England were teetering on the brink of defeat in the Third Test against the Australians when Botham came through with a spectacular visit to the crease which sent the high-spirited crowds roaring. Spurred on by the enthusiasm of their supporters, Botham and England followed on to win the

Customer Reviews

Read the Label carefully....
....I didn't and I was a bit disappointed. When I saw the title I thought it was Botham's Ashes which had been released on VHS in the 80's finally released on DVD. That version showed highlights from the whole '81 Ashes series. This release just focuses on the Headingley test. Having said that, its a great piece of history. Kids today would think its pure fiction! The action is fantastically nostalgic but slow in places. This was the BBC at its cutting edge best back then. Channel 4 and Sky have really spoilt us! You get to see a supporting cast of an athletic Boycott, Gatting without need for widescreen and a bearded support cast that includes current umpire Peter Willey. Oh, and you have to see Bob Willis being interviewed at the end by Peter West. If you think he's dull now..................

A fantastic look back at the greats of yesteryear
I approached this DVD with much sceptisism, having read all the bad reviews that were circulating around. However, being a massive fan of cricket, I decided to buy it anyway as I like watching footage of old cricket.

And was I pleased? You bet I was! Loads of footage of the English greats such as Ian Botham, Graham Dilley and Bob Willis as well as the Australian legends Dennis Lillee, Geoff Lawson and Terry Alderman. The picture quality is absolutely superb and has barely aged in the twenty-five years since the test took place. You could be forgiven for thinking that the match was only a few years old.

All the highlights are here: all the fours, sixes and dismissals as well as interviews of the key players at the end and much more. This is all nicely complimented by a great, thoughtful and insightful introduction by Ian Botham.

Now for the extras. As well as career stats for all the players, English and Australian, you also get a fascinating interview with Ian Botham as he travels back to that memorable summer in 1981 and gives us an insight as to how everyone was feeling leading up to the match, during the match and its aftermath. This interview is quite lengthy and provides many fascinating stories.

There is also an opportunity to watch ball-by-ball coverage of Ian's match-saving 149, some of which is not included in the main feature as there is simply not enough time. (Yay, deleted footage!)

So all in all, if you love cricket today and want to see how much (or how little, depending on your point of view) the game has changed in a qaurter of a century or if you wish to see the men who have since become legends of this sport, pick this DVD up and give it a watch. I promise you will not be disappointed.

Botham's ashes
I was very disappointed with the dvd. Where is the highlights of the other tests? What about Botham's 5-1 at Edgbastonm or his century with some brilliant hitting.While I understand that the "Miracle of Headingley" is written on the cover this dvd could easily have all the other tests highlighted on it as well even if it was only brief highlights. I'm not sure I would recommend this to anyone unless you specifically wanted only the headingley test