Watch Death of a Gentleman

Death of a Gentleman is an enthralling and thought-provoking documentary film that delves into the issues of corruption, greed, and politics behind the game of cricket. The movie, released in 2015, is directed by Sam Collins and Jarrod Kimber and features eminent cricket journalists and former players including Jonathan Agnew, David Becker, and Ian Chappell.

The film begins with a simple question – Is Test cricket dying? As the narrative unfolds, the audience is taken on a journey that explores the various aspects – on and off the field – of the game that has been dubbed as the 'gentleman's sport'. The viewer is introduced to the three main protagonists – the 'voice of cricket' Jonathan Agnew, the investigative journalist David Becker, and Australian former captain Ian Chappell – each bringing their unique perspective and insights into the workings of the sport.

The central theme of the film revolves around the role of the International Cricket Council (ICC) – the governing body of cricket – and their alleged failure to protect the game's traditional format, Test cricket. The filmmakers examine how cricket has been commercialized to such an extent that shorter and more marketable versions of the game, such as T20 and the Indian Premier League, have become more popular than the traditional five-day Test format, leading to a decline in its popularity and relevance. The filmmakers raise the issue of how this decline has been exacerbated by a lack of interest and investment in the game by the younger generation.

Through interviews with former players and administrators, the movie highlights the corrupt practices that have plagued the game, particularly in the conduct of its officials. The role of India, the economic powerhouse of cricket, is also examined in detail, particularly the country's increasing influence over the ICC, which has resulted in a shift in power from the old guard of cricket – England and Australia – to the new. The documentary focuses on how this shift has led to a concentration of power with the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India), which has resulted in a lopsided decision-making process.

Death of a Gentleman does not shy away from asking tough questions of the sport, its players, and administrators, bringing to the fore issues like match-fixing, Russian mafia involvement, the influence of social media, the role of commentators, and other such sensitive topics that have been covered up or ignored by cricket authorities over the years. The movie presents a compelling case for reforming the game if it is to survive in the long run.

Overall, Death of a Gentleman is a moving, insightful, and engrossing documentary that will appeal not only to cricket fans but anyone with an interest in sports and its governance. The film presents a bleak but accurate picture of a sport that has lost its soul in the face of corruption and greed, leaving behind a trail of disillusionment and despair. However, the documentary also raises the hope that the game can be reformed, and its traditional format – Test cricket – revived through the passion and commitment of its fans and players alike.

Death of a Gentleman is a 2015 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 39 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.2.