The Harder They Come

Name: The Harder They Come
Genre: Drama, Crime, Music
Released: February 8, 1973
Duration: 105 min
Rating: 75

1973

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Generally favorable reviews based on 14 Critic Reviews

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Syndctd Entertainment | Release Date: February 8, 1973 | R

Summary: 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 TheyReggae 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. [The Criterion Collection]… Expand

Genre(s): Drama, Crime, Music

Rating: R

Runtime: 105 min

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Critic Reviews

100

Steve Simels

Oct 3, 2019

For those who saw it back in 1972, The Harder They Come was a revelation, evocative of a poor but vibrant Jamaican culture few Americans knew about, with a bombshell reggae soundtrack that for all intents introduced the musical genre here. Read full review

100

Keith Watson

Oct 3, 2019

The Harder They Come’s greatest asset may still be its soundtrack, which makes such a stirring impact because it provides a cathartic release from the grim realities depicted on screen. Read full review

Scott Tobias

Oct 3, 2019

While it was ultimately the songs—You Can Get It If You Really Want, Many Rivers To Cross, Pressure Drop, and the title track, among other classics—that carried the day, The Harder They Come remains a powerful testament to their meaning. Read full review

Staff (Not Credited)

Oct 3, 2019

The filmmaking is a bit crude at times but it packs an emotional wallop. Read full review

Pauline Kael

Oct 3, 2019

The film, directed by Perry Henzell, is feverish and haphazard, but the music redeems much of it, and the rhythmic swing of the Jamaican speech is hypnotic.

A. H. Weiler

Oct 3, 2019

The largely amateur cast of black performers and their producer-director may be involved in basically simple action fare in The Harder They Come, but they also leave a slightly disturbing, documentary impression of the darker side of the sunny Jamaica. Read full review

Stephen Garrett

Jun 5, 2012

But make no mistake: As a movie, it's Mystery Science Theater 3000 bad: atrocious acting, amateurish camerawork and a hackneyed story line all make for one painful slog. Read full review

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