The first feature film ever to come out of Jamaica, The Harder They Come stars Jimmy Cliff in a career-making role as musician/weed dealer Ivan Martin. Gritty and super-realistic, director Perry Henzell cuts back and forth between the lush countryside and Kingston’s busy streets and wretched slums. SEE TRAILER BELOW

Ivan records the title track, but is forced to accept just $20 for what would become a huge hit. This leads him into the corrupt ganja trade. Unhappy with his cut, the stylish and cocky Ivan challenges Jose (Carl Bradshaw), who snitches him out to the police. Only Rasta Pedro (Ras Daniel Hartman) backs Ivan as he hides from the authorities.

When Ivan just misses his chance to escape on a boat to Cuba, he’s out-numbered on the beach and goes out in a hail of bullets, the true anti-hero for the starving masses.

In addition to “The Harder They Come,” the soundtrack includes such reggae classics as Cliff’s “You Can Get It If You Really Want” and “Sitting in Limbo,” and the Maytals’ “Pressure Drop.” Henzell only directed one other film, No Place Like Home, before passing away in 2006 - the year a newly restored and remastered version of the movie was released on DVD by Xenon Pictures.

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Trailer courtesy of Xexon Pictures

"The Harder They Come" is among the 500-plus movies reviewed in "Reefer Movie Madness: The Ultimate Stoner Film Guide" Shirley Halperin and CelebStoner's Steve Bloom. Pre-order the book here.

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