CLR James Talking to Stuart Hall (1984): cast, story & where to watch

Released in 1984, CLR James Talking to Stuart Hall is a notable film directed by Mike Dibb, running about 51 minutes.

What it’s about. Cyril Lionel Robert James (1901-1989) was a historian, journalist and contributor to Marxist thought. Stuart Hall was able to interview him for Channel 4 in the UK . The interview discusses his thoughts on revolution, socialism, and politics. His involvement in activism lasted decades. Born in Trinidad, much of his life was spent in the UK. C.R.L James became a teacher and notably taught Eric Williams. Williams went on to lead Trinidad and Tabago to independence. C.L.R. James also wrote fiction and about cricket. During his youth he did play the sport and wrote Beyond a Boundary (1963) describing cricket’s cultural significance. One of his favorite novels was Vanity Fair. This novel followed the lives of Becky Sharp and Amelia Sedley during the Napoleonic Wars. James was a figure in the Pan-African movement and the anti-colonial freedom struggle. What tends to be ignored is his concern about class exploitation.

Who’s in it. CLR James Talking to Stuart Hall stars Stuart Hall as Himself, Stuart Hall as Himself and C.L.R. James as Himself.

Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch CLR James Talking to Stuart Hall page.