The Harder They Come

The Harder They Come

103 mins | Drama, Crime, Music | Sept. 1, 1972

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.

The Harder They Come

103 mins | Drama, Crime, Music | Sept. 1, 1972

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.
IMDb rating 6.9
Producers International Films
Original title The Harder They Come
Directors Perry Henzell
Writers Trevor D. Rhone, Perry Henzell

Cast

Jimmy Cliff

as Ivanhoe "Ivan" Martin

Janet Bartley

as Elsa

Carl Bradshaw

as Jose

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

Clover Lewis

as Market Woman

Elijah Chambers

as Longa

Prince Buster

as DJ at Dance

Ed 'Bim' Lewis

as Photographer

Bobby Loban

as Fitz

Joanne Dunn

as Barmaid

Don Topping

as DJ

Karl Leslie

as Freddie

Sandra Redwood

as Girl

Ula Fraser

as Elsa Friend

Carol Lawes

as Elsa Friend

Toots Hibbert

as Himself (uncredited)

Adrian Robinson

as Editor