The Harder They Come
1972
Set in shantytown, Jamaica a drama about an aspiring singer, desperate for fame who, disillusioned by corruption in the entertainment business, becomes involved in the ganga trade; his life spirals as a result. Read more
| Starring | Jimmy Cliff |
|---|---|
| Director | Perry Henzell |
| Genres | Action/Adventure |
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Critics' reviews (3)
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Jamaica's first indigenous feature became something of a cult hit and made a huge star of Jimmy Cliff, whose own experiences, to a degree, inform the plot of this crime drama. After a hard-hitting opening, however — in which keenly observed documentary detail captures both the exotic and ugly sides of Kingston — this reggae reworking of the old rags-to-riches story disappointingly descends into banal blaxploitation. The struggle to make it in the music business is convincingly depicted, but director Perry Henzell loses his way when Cliff resorts to cop killing to boost his record sales. Whatever the film's shortcomings, though, the music is superb.
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Lively, tough drama of drugs and corruption in which the action is matched by the vigour of the music, which did much to give reggae an international appeal.
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The age-old story of country boy, urban corruption, and a bad end. The guy is Jimmy Cliff, the city is Kingston, the... read more on Time Out
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Most helpful members' reviews (3)
View all -
8 out of 8 people found this review helpful
The Harder They Fall
As well as being a fascinating social documentary, this film gives a good idea of how the recording industry worked in Jamaica at the time.
The film starts with Ivan coming to Kingston, but I would recommend reading the first few chapters of the book before watching the film as they tell of Ivan's childhood and early life in the countryside of JA. -
5 out of 6 people found this review helpful
waste of time
a film that was painfully boring
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3 out of 3 people found this review helpful
Fantastic sountrack
If you rent this film, be sure to seek out the truly bizarre alternative ending in the special features section. Bizarre. Truly.
This film may have been called 'The Harder They Come' but when things don't come easy for Jimmy Cliff, he takes what he wants from behind the barrel of a gun.
A very unusual film with beautiful cinematography of Kingston shanty towns and an excellent soundtrack. -
Most recent members' reviews (2)
View all -
5 out of 6 people found this review helpful
waste of time
a film that was painfully boring
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Come again?
I first saw this when I was a teenager, and was half expecting that 30 years on it would be disappointing, in the way that revisiting the haunts of youth can often be. Quite the opposite; a vivid and gritty portrait of Jamaican life woven around a poignant story is carried on undercurrents of social commentary and underpinned by a seminal soundtrack. Thought provoking and briliant on may levels, you may need the subtitles as the speech is as authentic as the locations.
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8 out of 8 people found this review helpful
The Harder They Fall
As well as being a fascinating social documentary, this film gives a good idea of how the recording industry worked in Jamaica at the time.
The film starts with Ivan coming to Kingston, but I would recommend reading the first few chapters of the book before watching the film as they tell of Ivan's childhood and early life in the countryside of JA. -
5 out of 6 people found this review helpful
waste of time
a film that was painfully boring
-
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful
Fantastic sountrack
If you rent this film, be sure to seek out the truly bizarre alternative ending in the special features section. Bizarre. Truly.
This film may have been called 'The Harder They Come' but when things don't come easy for Jimmy Cliff, he takes what he wants from behind the barrel of a gun.
A very unusual film with beautiful cinematography of Kingston shanty towns and an excellent soundtrack. -
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful
pretty dam good
A true master piece.
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the harder they came
i was in cross roads near carib cinema kingston jamaica the day when this first movie was release and remember the turn out to see this movie never seen so many people in one area.anyway the first time i saw it was on tv in england and i said not bad for a first movie made in jamaica and it tells the story and captures what really goes on in the music industry and people life style i can relate to.renting this dvd tell a whole new story there are seens i have never seen before so you know this is uncut this is how it should be making the movie more enjoyable to watch and the interview with the crew was great add this to your list
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pretty dam good
A true master piece.
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classic film
excellent tunes,a good insight to jamaica in the day
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Jimmy is the man!!
A classic film, fabulous soundtrack and an awesome lead in Jimmy Cliff. Brilliant.
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Come again?
I first saw this when I was a teenager, and was half expecting that 30 years on it would be disappointing, in the way that revisiting the haunts of youth can often be. Quite the opposite; a vivid and gritty portrait of Jamaican life woven around a poignant story is carried on undercurrents of social commentary and underpinned by a seminal soundtrack. Thought provoking and briliant on may levels, you may need the subtitles as the speech is as authentic as the locations.
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The Harder they come
Great film - just shows how life can be tough particularly when you do not get the support and all people want to do is rip you off. Unfortunately the young man ended up pursuing crime which had dire consequences for him. Crime does not pay.
Critics' reviews (3)
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Jamaica's first indigenous feature became something of a cult hit and made a huge star of Jimmy Cliff, whose own experiences, to a degree, inform the plot of this crime drama. After a hard-hitting opening, however — in which keenly observed documentary detail captures both the exotic and ugly sides of Kingston — this reggae reworking of the old rags-to-riches story disappointingly descends into banal blaxploitation. The struggle to make it in the music business is convincingly depicted, but director Perry Henzell loses his way when Cliff resorts to cop killing to boost his record sales. Whatever the film's shortcomings, though, the music is superb.
-
Lively, tough drama of drugs and corruption in which the action is matched by the vigour of the music, which did much to give reggae an international appeal.
-
The age-old story of country boy, urban corruption, and a bad end. The guy is Jimmy Cliff, the city is Kingston, the... read more on Time Out
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The Harder They Come
Set in shantytown, Jamaica a drama about an aspiring singer, desperate for fame who, disillusioned by corruption in the entertainment business, becomes involved in the ganga trade; his life spirals as a result....
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