The Harder They Come (1972)

The Harder They Come
Directed by Perry Henzell
Written by Perry Henzell and Trevor D. Rhone
1972/Jamaica
IMDb page
Repeat viewing/Fandor Channel on Amazon Prime
One of 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die

So as sure as the sun will shine
I’m gonna get my share now, what’s mine
And then the harder they come
The harder they fall, one and all – “The Harder They Come” – lyrics by Jimmy Cliff

I love Jimmy Cliff, reggae music and this movie.

Ivan(hoe) Martin (Cliff) is a poor country boy.  His granny dies and he goes to the big city of Kingston, Jamaica to make his fortune.  Unfortunately, Kingston is full of poor young men who can’t catch a break.  Ivan has the same fate as he struggles to get work and keep it. He falls for a preacher’s ward and they begin to live together.  Ivan knows one thing.  He can sure sing.

Ivan goes to a recording studio and cuts the title tune.  He is offered $20 for this amazing song.  He refuses but finds the studio exec has a lock on the local media.  He finally accepts the 20 bucks but the studio exec does not want the record to get wide airplay because he wants to keep Ivan humble and in his pocket.

This does not sit well with Ivan.  He is lured into the ganja trade.  When he kills some cops, his record becomes a big hit and he becomes a fugitive from justice and folk hero.  The movie features several songs by Cliff as well as music from Toots and the Maytalls, David Scott, The Slickers, Desmond Dekker, and the Melodians.

Well, the soundtrack alone is reason enough to see this movie.  The acting is strictly amateur but Henzell really captures the third-world vibe, the grime and poverty, as well as the beauty of the Jamaican countryside.  If you dig the music, you must see the film.

Retrospective trailer

Cliff sings “Many Rivers to Cross” on Saturday Night Live – gives me the chills