The Harder They Come(1972)
“With a Piece in His Hand He Takes on the Man!”
Overview
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.
Director
Perry Henzell
Studio
International Films
Cast
Jimmy Cliff
as Ivanhoe "Ivan" Martin
Janet Bartley
as Elsa
Carl Bradshaw
as Jose
Ras Daniel Hartman
as Pedro
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
Where to Watch
Amazon Prime Video
Criterion Channel
Fandor
Philo
Amazon Prime Video with Ads
Shout! Factory Amazon Channel
Amazon Video
Apple TV StoreAvailability may vary by region. Some links are affiliate links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Movie Facts
Release Year
1972
Runtime
1h 43m
Language
English
Rating
6.6 / 10
Production Companies
International Films
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I watch The Harder They Come?▼
Check the "Where to Watch" section above for current streaming platforms, rental options, and purchase links for The Harder They Come (1972).
What is The Harder They Come about?▼
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.
Who directed The Harder They Come?▼
The Harder They Come was directed by Perry Henzell and released in 1972. It is a crime, drama, music film.
How long is The Harder They Come?▼
The Harder They Come has a runtime of 1 hours and 43 minutes (103 minutes total).
Who stars in The Harder They Come?▼
The cast of The Harder They Come includes Jimmy Cliff as Ivanhoe "Ivan" Martin, Janet Bartley as Elsa, Carl Bradshaw as Jose, Ras Daniel Hartman as Pedro, Basil Keane as Preacher and more.
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