The Harder They Come - 1972
With a Piece in His Hand He Takes on the Man!
Director(s)
Perry Henzell
Writer(s)
Perry Henzell
Trevor D. Rhone
Producer(s)
Perry Henzell producer
Jeff Scheftel producer (30th Anniversary DVD)
Chris Blackwell executive producer (uncredited)
Cast
Jimmy Cliff - Ivan Martin
Janet Barkley - 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 'Bum' Lewis - Photographer
Bobby Loban - Fitz
Joanne Dunn - Barmaid
Adrian Robinson - Editor
Don Topping - DJ
Karl Leslie - Freddie
Sandra Redwood - Girl
Ulla Fraser - Elsa Friend
Carol Lawes - Elsa Friend
Aston 'Bam' Winter - Drunk
Toots Hibbert - Himself (uncredited)
A poor Jamaican, a 1970s anti-hero, tries to make it with a hit record but finds that payola rules. His record will only be played if he signs away his rights. He turns to dealing marijuana and runs afoul of the law. As an underground fugitive, he becomes a political hero. An outstanding reggae soundtrack underscores the plot, in particular the lines from the title song: "I'd rather be a free man in my grave than living like a puppet or or a slave."
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