[.ca] The Harder They Come

From Amazon.com:
Director-producer Perry Henzel's all-Jamaican-made 1973 classic, one of the most beloved and longest-running of all international cult favorites, fiercely expresses the live-wire Jamaican spirit--an impoverished Africa tuned to American radio. The film also incorporates an archetypal passion for "outlaw" justice common to American Westerns, which were a staple of the Caribbean theater circuit at the time. Released just 12 years after Jamaica achieved independence, The Harder They Come also reflects the disenchantment that soon followed a massive post-independence exodus from the island's country hamlets to the tropical ghettos of Kingston, where a more grinding urban poverty awaited. Brilliantly shot, directed, written, and acted, especially by singer Jimmy Cliff in the leading role and Carl Bradshaw as his archenemy, the film tells an anthemic Jamaican story to seductive rhythms of a soundtrack that became a reggae bestseller. Ivan, a country boy who dreams of fame as a singer, rides into Kingston on a rickety country bus in the opening scenes, only to meet with disaster heaped on disaster, always at the hands of those masked as friends. In a breathless defining climax, Ivan finally breaks from his passivity and begins to wreak his revenge. Soon Kingston's music Mafia and the equally corrupt authorities are after him, but like the real-life people's hero (a man named Rhygin) on whom this character is partially based, Ivan leads them on a maddening chase--much to the delight of the people--eluding capture until the movie's shocking final moments. --Elena Oumano

Additional Features:
If you are used to seeing The Harder They Come on video, or even in the theater, the clarity of the DVD's digital transfer will blow you away. And the classic soundtrack that helped to popularize reggae never sounded better. The commentary track by director Perry Henzell and star Jimmy Cliff (recorded in 1999-2000 exclusively for the Criterion Collection) nicely complements the film, providing rich substance to the story. Henzell discusses Jamaican politics, social issues, and culture, explaining how he incorporates these elements into the film scene by scene. In an exclusive 10-minute interview, Island Records founder Chris Blackwell discusses his support, involvement, and admiration for the film. The dialogue in The Harder They Come is such an authentic representation of the Jamaica vernacular it is often difficult to understand what is being said, so it's a shame a subtitle option was not included. However, this drawback is minor considering the richness of the DVD transfer. --Rob Bracco

a film that inspired may things:
This review is for the Criterion Collection DVD edition of the film. Jamaica's first feature film is also the most famous. The film made reggae music popular in the US, influnced people to vout out the conservative government in Jamaica, and brought singer Jimmy Cliff to international stardom. The film is about a young man aspired to become a famous singer. He performs for a record company, but is offered only $20 for the song. He thinks it is worth more but finally agrees on the $20. He later gets in trouble with the law and becomes even more famous as an outlaw. I strongly recommend that you watch the film with subtitles, as many of the characters speak in a thick Patois accent. The film has a R rating for profanity, violence, sexual content, and nudity. The soundtrack to the film remains a big hit even today and it is said that even Bob Marley would be an unknown if it weren't for this film. The criterion DVD has an exclusive interview with Chris Blackwell, the founder of Island Records. There are also biographies and discographies of several musicians who helped witht he film's music. It also has full-length audio commentary by actor Jimmy Cliff and Perry Henzell, who wrote and directed the film. This film is a must see for reggae music lovers!

The Harder They come puts the cult in cult classic::
The Harder They Come is the longest running cult classic in film history. Criterion did good to restore this old classic to Hi definition glory. It looks almost as good as when I first saw it many years ago- and i'll say that's pretty good. This is a movie about struggle, triumph and dreams. It so well illustrates the daily struggle of ghetto youth and the trials that they face each day. And it also shows the music industry and how young musicians are exploited on a daily basis. Previous reviewers did well to explain the movie in depth so I wont delve much into the plot. I'll just like to reaffirm that this movie is a good watch. If you ever wanted to see what true poverty is like and what it really is like living in a third world country like Jamaica, I suggest that you see The Harder They Come. Then if you like the Harder they Come see movies like DanceHall Queen and Third World Cop (though those movies don't compare in the least). The soundtrack is indeed infectious by the way. Even if you aren't a reggae fan. I've seen people turn reggae fans just by watching this movie. The seemless intermingling of music and film is done perfectly in this movie. The soundtrack is one of it's highest points and it does well to amplify the emotion and hardship our protagonist (Ivan)endures. Criterion always releases good movies and this is definately one of them. I give it a solid 4 out of 5 stars.

So atmospheric you can almost feel the heat!:
This is just great. The story is a very traditional one, that of a country boy Ivan (played by Jimmy Cliff) who comes to the city and gradually gets wise to the ways of the world. Through his eyes we see all the sophistications of Jamaican life, the music industry, the ganja trade, the police, religious life and girls. Ivan tries to make money in the city... The soundtrack is populated with reggae classics from the likes of The Melodians, Desmond Dekker and Jimmy Cliff himself, and it's just as well the title song is a classic as it's played about four or five times! This film is essential for anyone wanting to see the real Jamaica, away from the tourist spots and the dance-halls. You can almost smell the shanty towns, illustrated best by the sign saying 'please don't pass urine, people live here'. Even if you don't pay attention to the action, enjoy it for the songs.

Groundbreaking...:
This groundbreaking films opened the eyes of a fifteen year old from Washington D.C. (me!)when it first appeared. It remains the greatest reggae film, and probably the greatest soundtrack ever. I'm currently developing a film involving reggae, and if you have serious interest in it, feel free to email me.

Cross This River:
1973's The Harder They Come is something of the Jamaican version of Bonnie & Clyde or Butch Cassidy & The Sundance Kid, but with a singular lead character instead of duo. Reggae legend Jimmy Cliff stars as Ivan Martin, who at the start of the film arrives in Kingston from the country with dreams of stardom as a singer. After struggling to find work, he is taken in by a preacher (Basil Keane) and falls in love with the preacher's ward, Elsa (Janet Barkley). After using the church to practice his song, the preacher kicks both Ivan and Elsa out of the house. Ivan eventually gets a chance to record his song, the movie's title track, but the producer, Hilton, does not offer him riches, only $20.00. Ivan decides not to sign the contract releasing the song to Hilton and tries to sell the record himself. What he finds out is that Hilton controls not only the recording studio, but the radio stations, record stores and club DJ's as well. Ivan goes back to Hilton and accepts the $20.00. With basically no money to support Elsa and himself, he is taken in by Jose (Carl Bradshaw) who is the local ganja dealer. Jose teams Ivan up with Pedro (Ras Daniel Hartman) to push drugs. The drug trafficking is like everything else that Ivan runs across in Kingston, rife with corruption, being run by the local police. Ivan doesn't like the pay out he is getting from Jose, feeling he is doing all the work and getting none of the reward. Jose thinks Ivan has become nothing but trouble, so he tells the cops to arrest him. When Ivan is being pulled over by a cop, he shoots and kills him instead of surrendering. He gets caught in another showdown with the police, killing several more cops. Hilton decides to release Ivan's single and it becomes a smash hit, making Ivan a folk hero (much the same as Bonnie & Clyde and Butch & Sundance). Ivan enjoys his hero status and plays it to the hilt until a final showdown with the military on a beach. Director Perry Hanzell uses the Kingston landscape with its alternating tropical beauty and urban slums as a perfect juxtaposition between the paradise people believe Jamaica to be and the harsh reality of its cities. The camerawork is gritty and the acting is rough, but authentic. In fact the Jamaican accents are so thick in places, that subtitles are employed. Mr. Cliff, in his acting debut, gives a convincing and credible performance, but it is the reggae music that is the star of the film. The movie helped introduce reggae to an American audience and the songs like the title track, "You Can Get It If You Really Want It", "Johnny Too Bad" and especially the angelic "Many Rivers To Cross" (covered by artists like Cher, Joe Cocker, UB40, Harry Nilsson and most notably Linda Ronstadt) have become reggae classics.