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The Harder They Come
Ivanhoe Martin arrives in Kingston, Jamaica, looking for work and, after some initial struggles, lands a recording contract as a reggae singer. He records his first song, "The Harder They Come," but after a bitter dispute with a manipulative producer named Hilton, soon finds himself resorting to petty crime in order to pay the bills. He deals marijuana, kills some abusive cops and earns local folk hero status. Meanwhile, his record is topping the charts.
1972 · Directed by Perry Henzell · 103 min · Crime · Drama · Music · 9 frames
Tagline
With a Piece in His Hand He Takes on the Man!
Crew
- Written by: Trevor D. Rhone, Perry Henzell
- Edited by: Richard White, Reicland Anderson, John Victor-Smith
- Produced by: Perry Henzell, Jeff Scheftel
Cast
- Jimmy Cliff as Ivanhoe "Ivan" Martin
- Janet Bartley as Elsa
- Carl Bradshaw as Jose
- Ras Daniel Hartman as Pedro
- Basil Keane as Preacher
- Bob Charlton as Hilton
- Winston Stona as Detective Ray Jones
- Lucia White as Mother
- Volair Johnson as Pushcart Boy
- Beverly Anderson as Housewife
Production
- Country: Jamaica
- Language: English
- Studios: International Films
- Themes: cinema on cinema, gangster, disc jockey, jamaica, church choir, reggae, parish, recording contract, record producer, record label
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