IMDb > The Harder They Come (1972)
The Harder They Come
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotes
Overview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv schedule
Awards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage board
Plot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotes
Fun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQ
Other Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDesk
Promotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo gallery
External Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips

The Harder They Come (1972) More at IMDbPro »

Videos
The Harder They Come (1972) -- Open-ended Trailer from International

Overview

User Rating:
7.1/10   1,933 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 16% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Perry Henzell
Writers:
Perry Henzell (written by) &
Trevor D. Rhone (written by)
Contact:
View company contact information for The Harder They Come on IMDbPro.
Genre:
Crime | Drama | Music more
Tagline:
dem a loot, dem a shoot, dem a wail in shanty town (British DVD tag-line) more
Plot:
Ivanhoe Martin comes to the city to make it big singing Reggae. However, he finds life in the city to be harder than he thought... more | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
more
User Comments:
Real, raw and a part of my life forever. more (34 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)
Jimmy Cliff ... Ivanhoe "Ivan" Martin
Janet Bartley ... Elsa
Carl Bradshaw ... Jose
Ras Daniel Hartman ... Pedro
Basil Keane ... Preacher
Bob Charlton ... Hilton
Winston Stona ... Detective Ray Jones
Lucia White ... Mother
Volair Johnson ... Pushcart Boy
Beverly Anderson ... Housewife
Clover Lewis ... Market Woman
Elijah Chambers ... Longa
Prince Buster ... DJ at Dance
Ed 'Bim' Lewis ... Photographer
Bobby Loban ... Fitz
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Also Known As:
Hard Road to Travel (Jamaica: English title) (working title)
more
Runtime:
USA:120 min | Finland:103 min (TV)
Country:
Jamaica
Language:
English
Color:
Color (Metrocolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.66 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono
Certification:
UK:X (original rating) | Australia:M | UK:15 | USA:R
Filming Locations:
Jamaica

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
The movie is in Jamaican Patois, a creole language which can be understood to some extent by English speakers. There are subtitles in English for much of the movie on the original theatrical print. more
Quotes:
DJ: You know, this is show *business*, Baby. No business, no show! more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in Still Smokin (1983) more
Soundtrack:
Rivers of Babylon more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
15 out of 17 people found the following comment useful.
Real, raw and a part of my life forever., 22 November 2005
10/10
Author: divergent-thinking from Canada

This film is a perfect example of the Jamican city struggle, this film is a real depiction of Jamaican people. Technically it is poorly shot and edited, but if you can look past these issues you will have a greater understanding of Jamaican people, the struggles faced and a realization of how the ghettos developed. I lived in Kingston Jamaica in the 80s as a youth, through innocents I loved every part of Jamaica the music, food, people, beaches and weather but not the history or politics which a later learned more about. Jamaica has developed a society through mislead innocents of the youth, selfish politicians who cared for money and power created what Jamaica is today. Imagine coming in from the country as so many did in the 60's & 70's and learning the only work you could find was selling drugs or robbing, Oh no you wouldn't do that? but when a human being begins to starve they will do almost anything to survive it is instinct. This movie is about exactly that survivalist instinct and tendencies.

Was the above comment useful to you?
more (34 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for The Harder They Come (1972)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Criterion vs. Xenon? DeanBitterman
Is it just me... rytsy
Remake? fantasticfreddyg
Best anti-hero of all time. dakkio26
jimmy cliff jfranco-1
Bad Boy beginnings blooddog
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
Sid and Nancy Ray Across the Universe Running on Empty Blow
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
News articles IMDb Crime section IMDb Jamaica section
Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.