Apparently, when this film was shown in American theaters, it was shown with open captions because much of the Jamaican dialog is very difficult to follow. However, oddly, when the film has come on TV (such as on Turner Classic Movies) it had no captioning of any type and I just gave up watching it in frustration. Fortunately, the Criterion version does have captions....but you must choose them from a pulldown menu. PLEASE remember to activate the captions unless you are fluent in Jamaican Creole.
The story is apparently based, to some degree, on a real Jamaican bandit who became a folk hero of sorts. For the movie, they changed a lot of his life, updated the story to the 1970s and made him a singer/drug dealer...a definate anti-hero.
Technically speaking, "The Harder They Come" isn't much of a film. The cinematography is sketchy and the acting just fair...but it also was a HUGE hit when it debuted...earning back far more than the film cost to make. Much of this is because the movie became a fan favorite at late night theaters here in the States. When you look at this film today, it all seems very hard to understand why the film gained such traction. But as the expression goes, 'it's all in the timing'....and in 1972 the film was timed just right. After all, the combination of civit unrest in Jamaica, rebellion being on the rise in the industrilized world and the increased use of drugs all served to create a demand for this sort of story.
The first portion of the film shows Ivan (Jimmy Cliff) trying to make a go of it in life. But again and again, he finds people standing in his way, trying to keep him down. The Preacher is a hypocritical jerk, the record producers are simply thieves and the cops, well, they work forever pays them the most! And, eventually, Ivan has had enough and resorts to a life of crime...killing several people in the process. And, soon, the combination of one of his songs taking off on the radio and his anti-authoritarian crusade serve to make Ivan a local anti-hero...and soon he finds he has fans who offer to help hide him from the man. What's to eventually come of all this violence and lawlessness?
The best thing about this film is the music. While very repetitive, it's also very catchy and Cliff's singing is enjoyable. As for his acting, it's decent considering he really isn't a professional actor here. But the story itself is cheap...cheaply made and just okay. While the film was adored back in the 70s, it hasn't aged so well...it was just a different time and place and now that time and place has passed...making the film less enjoyable for newer audiences.
The story is apparently based, to some degree, on a real Jamaican bandit who became a folk hero of sorts. For the movie, they changed a lot of his life, updated the story to the 1970s and made him a singer/drug dealer...a definate anti-hero.
Technically speaking, "The Harder They Come" isn't much of a film. The cinematography is sketchy and the acting just fair...but it also was a HUGE hit when it debuted...earning back far more than the film cost to make. Much of this is because the movie became a fan favorite at late night theaters here in the States. When you look at this film today, it all seems very hard to understand why the film gained such traction. But as the expression goes, 'it's all in the timing'....and in 1972 the film was timed just right. After all, the combination of civit unrest in Jamaica, rebellion being on the rise in the industrilized world and the increased use of drugs all served to create a demand for this sort of story.
The first portion of the film shows Ivan (Jimmy Cliff) trying to make a go of it in life. But again and again, he finds people standing in his way, trying to keep him down. The Preacher is a hypocritical jerk, the record producers are simply thieves and the cops, well, they work forever pays them the most! And, eventually, Ivan has had enough and resorts to a life of crime...killing several people in the process. And, soon, the combination of one of his songs taking off on the radio and his anti-authoritarian crusade serve to make Ivan a local anti-hero...and soon he finds he has fans who offer to help hide him from the man. What's to eventually come of all this violence and lawlessness?
The best thing about this film is the music. While very repetitive, it's also very catchy and Cliff's singing is enjoyable. As for his acting, it's decent considering he really isn't a professional actor here. But the story itself is cheap...cheaply made and just okay. While the film was adored back in the 70s, it hasn't aged so well...it was just a different time and place and now that time and place has passed...making the film less enjoyable for newer audiences.