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The Harder They Come (1972)
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Synopsis
Reggae star
Jimmy Cliff
is the principal reason that The Harder They Come was one of the first truly successful films to come out of Jamaica. Cliff plays Ivan, a young would-be singer who finds the going rough when he hits the big city of Kingston. Jailed for participating in a knife fight, Ivan is exploited by a dishonest record-company executive upon his release. Turning his back on the establishment, Ivan becomes involved in the marijuana trade. He keeps the police at arm's length by offering them a slice of the action, but ultimately finds himself in the middle of a bloody raid. Ivan kills several cops and escapes, whereupon the duplicitous record exec releases Ivan's single "The Harder They Come," elevating the fugitive to the status of folk hero. The Harder They Come utilizes a take-no-prisoners approach to its material and presents an unadorned view of the seamier side of Jamaica life. The film resulted in an incredible upsurge in the popularity of reggae music in America; among the highlights in its hit-after-hit score are "You Can Really Get It If You Want It," "Sitting in Limbo," "Johnny Too Bad," and the title song. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Production Crew
David McDonald
Cinematographer
Peter Jessop
Cinematographer
Desmond Dekker
Composer (Music Score)
Jimmy Cliff
Composer (Music Score)
Slickers
Composer (Music Score)
Perry Henzell
Director
John Victor Smith
Editor
Richard White
Editor
Seicland Anderson
Editor
Robert Russell
First Assistant Director
Desmond Dekker
Musical Performer
Slickers
Musical Performer
Toots & the Maytals
Musical Performer
Perry Henzell
Producer
Perry Henzell
Screenwriter
Trevor D. Rhone
Screenwriter
Jimmy Cliff
Songwriter
Year: 1972
Runtime: 105
Country: Jamaica
MPAA Rating: R
Category: Feature
Genre
Crime
Color type
Eastmancolor
Produced by
International Films
© 2009 Spout LLC. Portions of content provided by All Movie Guide.