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The Harder They Come (1972)

R   |    |  Crime, Drama, Music

The Harder They Come (1972) Poster

Wishing to become a successful Reggae singer, a young Jamaican man finds himself tied to corrupt record producers and drug pushers.

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  • Jimmy Cliff in The Harder They Come (1972)
  • Jimmy Cliff in The Harder They Come (1972)
  • Jimmy Cliff in The Harder They Come (1972)
  • Jimmy Cliff and Ras Daniel Hartman in The Harder They Come (1972)
  • Jimmy Cliff in The Harder They Come (1972)
  • The Harder They Come (1972)

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Reviews & Commentary

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User Reviews
22 June 2001 | DAW-8
9
| Ahead of its time
It has been said of many films, but this one was indeed "ahead of its time". It is a love story, social commentary, political manifesto and comedy all rolled-in-one. You can't help but like Jimmy Cliff's character. He's trying to cut a record, romance a preacher's daughter, and "get what's his" all at the same time.

This film is especially important in the history of Black film, I would say, since the character of Ivan is clearly portrayed as a complex character. Even the cinematography conveys the idea that "black is beautiful" (remember the (semi-)nude scene in the lake? Can't say enough good things about it. See it, you won't be sorry!

Critic Reviews

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Did You Know?

Trivia

The movie is in Jamaican Patois, a creole language which can be understood to some extent by English speakers. There are subtitles in English for much of the movie on the original theatrical print.

Quotes

Ivan Martin: and the oppressors are trying to keep me down /T rying to drive me underground / And they think that they have got the battle won / I say, "Forgive them, Lord, they know not what they've done," / For as sure as the Sun will shine / I'm going to get ...

Alternate Versions

Because of the thick accents, and the extensive use of Jamaican slang, the U.S. release prints contained English subtitles.

Soundtracks

Johnny Too Bad
Performed by The Slickers
Composed by Hylton Bexford, Winston Bailey, Sydney Crooks and Derric Crooks

Storyline

Plot Summary

Genres

Crime | Drama | Music

Details

Release Date:

5 August 1977

Language

English

Country of Origin

Jamaica

Filming Locations

Jamaica

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