The Harder They Come
Directed by Perry Henzell • 1972 • Jamaica
Starring Jimmy Cliff, Janet Bartley, Carl Bradshaw
Reggae superstar Jimmy Cliff is Ivan, a rural Jamaican musician who journeys to the city of Kingston in search of fame and fortune. Pushed to desperate circumstances by shady record producers and corrupt cops, he finally achieves notoriety—as a murderous outlaw. Boasting some of the greatest music ever produced in Jamaica, THE HARDER THEY COME brought the catchy and subversive rhythms of the Rastas to the U.S. in the early 1970s.
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The Harder They Come
Directed by Perry Henzell • 1972 • Jamaica
Starring Jimmy Cliff, Janet Bartley, Carl BradshawReggae superstar Jimmy Cliff is Ivan, a rural Jamaican musician who journeys to the city of Kingston in search of fame and fortune. Pushed to desperate circumstances by shady record producers and corrup...
Extras
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THE HARDER THEY COME Commentary
This commentary by writer-director Perry Henzell and star Jimmy Cliff was recorded in 1999 and 2000.
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Chris Blackwell on THE HARDER THEY COME
A longtime friend of director Perry Henzell, Island Records founder Chris Blackwell was involved with THE HARDER THEY COME from its inception—and his label released the film’s critically lauded and popular soundtrack. Due in part to the enormous success of both the movie and the album, Blackwell ...
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Filmin’ In The Gully
Anatomy of three scenes with cinematographer Franklyn “Chappy” St. Juste.
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David MacDonald on THE HARDER THEY COME
This interview with David MacDonald, one of THE HARDER THEY COME’s three cinematographers, explores how he worked with director Perry Henzell to capture Jamaica’s unique culture on film.
