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Movies / On DVD / The Harder They Come
The Harder They Come

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The Harder They Come (1973)

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Reviews Counted:12

Fresh:10

Rotten:2

Average Rating:7.4/10

Runtime: 1 hr 44 mins

Genre: Musical & Performing Arts

Synopsis: Reggae music serves as both soundtrack and plot element in THE HARDER THEY COME, a groundbreaking classic starring music legend Jimmy Cliff. Such hits as "You Can Get It If You Really Want," "Many... Reggae music serves as both soundtrack and plot element in THE HARDER THEY COME, a groundbreaking classic starring music legend Jimmy Cliff. Such hits as "You Can Get It If You Really Want," "Many Rivers to Cross," and "Sitting in Limbo," punctuate the film's action, introducing reggae and its Jamaican roots to a worldwide audience. Here, Cliff plays Ivan Martin, a poor country boy who goes to the city to make money, becoming a street rebel and a pop idol overnight. In Kingston, Ivan finds nothing but corruption. The record company offers him a mere $20 to release his single, "The Harder They Come." Ivan takes to the streets, where he is ensnared by crime. After brutally knifing a man, he serves a prison sentence. Once free, he supports himself by selling marijuana, protecting himself from legal persecution by giving the cops a cut. But that doesn't keep him from getting mixed up in a police raid. Ivan quickly develops a reputation as a Kingston criminal, and when his single "The Harder They Come" is finally released, it fuels his bad-boy notoriety, culminating in a tragic conclusion. Perry Henzel's 1973 film has become a cult classic and was an important factor in bringing reggae music to the fore. The movie served as a device for promoting Cliff's album and bringing him visibility as a primary Jamaican artist, on a par with Bob Marley. [More]

Starring: Jimmy Cliff, Janet Barkley, Carl Bradshaw, Toots & the Maytals

Starring: Jimmy Cliff, Janet Barkley, Carl Bradshaw, Toots & the Maytals, Ras Daniel Hartman, Basil Keane

Director: Perry Henzell

Director: Perry Henzell
Screenwriter: Perry Henzell, Trevor Rhone
Producer: Perry Henzell

[See More Credits]

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Release:

Jan 14, 2002

No Details Exist
 
 

Reviews for The Harder They Come

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1 - 20 (sorted by date)
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Packed with indelible images and potent subtexts (and great songs), this isn't just another bridge between Godard and MTV.

Full Review Source: City Pages, Minneapolis/St. Paul | comment Comment
08/20/09
Rob Nelson
Rob Nelson
City Pages, Minneapolis/St. Paul
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Variety | comment Comment
05/27/09
Variety
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

OK story, fabulous music by Jimmy Cliff

comment Comment
07/11/07
Lori Hoffman
Lori Hoffman
Atlantic City Weekly
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
02/09/06
Derek Adams
Derek Adams
Time Out

No review available.

comment Comment
10/08/05
Emanuel Levy
Emanuel Levy
EmanuelLevy.Com
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: New York Times | comment Comment
05/09/05
A.H. Weiler
A.H. Weiler
New York Times
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Chicago Sun-Times | comment Comment
10/23/04
Roger Ebert
Roger Ebert
Chicago Sun-Times
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

No review available.

comment Comment
07/29/04
Jake Euker
Jake Euker
F5 (Wichita, KS)

No review available.

comment Comment
05/15/04
Jonathan R. Perry
Jonathan R. Perry
Tyler Morning Telegraph (Texas)

Entertaining if not incredibly professional.

Full Review Source: Goatdog's Movies | comment Comment
10/12/03
Michael W. Phillips, Jr.
Michael W. Phillips, Jr.
Goatdog's Movies

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Filmcritic.com | comment Comment
06/10/03
Christopher Null
Christopher Null
Filmcritic.com
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Austin Chronicle | comment Comment
03/10/03
Marjorie Baumgarten
Marjorie Baumgarten
Austin Chronicle

No review available.

comment Comment
07/30/02
Philip Martin
Philip Martin
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

No review available.

comment Comment
07/26/02
David Poland
David Poland
Hot Button

a hard-hitting social drama with revolutionary political overtones, but it is immensely enjoyable and, at times, light-hearted

Full Review Source: Q Network Film Desk | comment Comment
02/27/01
James Kendrick
James Kendrick
Q Network Film Desk
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Combustible Celluloid | comment Comment
02/13/01
Jeffrey M. Anderson
Jeffrey M. Anderson
Combustible Celluloid
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Jam! Movies | comment Comment
01/01/00
Jam! Movies
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

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Full Review Source: Apollo Guide | comment Comment
01/01/00
Dan Jardine
Dan Jardine
Apollo Guide
N/R

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Full Review Source: San Francisco Chronicle | comment Comment
01/01/00
James Sullivan
James Sullivan
San Francisco Chronicle
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: eye WEEKLY | comment Comment
01/01/00
Jason Anderson
Jason Anderson
eye WEEKLY
 
 
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