The Harder They Come (1972)

A story about the struggle of trying to make your dreams come true amongst a corrupt, poverty ridden society.

The film follows a talented musician Ivanhoe (played by reggae artist Jimmy Cliff) arriving in Kingston Jamaica to find work and make it in the music business.

Ivanhoe meets a record producer and gets a chance to audition for him. But Ivanhoe dreams of making it in the music business is squandered when he realizes the deep corruption and exploitative contracts surrounding the local music scene. Left with no other choice Ivanhoe signs a bad contract for his song “The Harder They Come”. Still unable to make ends meet he turns to dealing marinuana.

In the midst of his new life of crime. Ivanhoe becomes a local hero after killing three corrupt police officers, making his once unknown song a hit on the radio as he’s on the run from the law.

The character Ivanhoe was Loosely Based on a real Jamaican outlaw Vincent “Ivanhoe” Martin aka Rhyging. Known as the original rude boy. Although he was never a musician like in this film he was an outlaw and folk hero in Jamaica.

The film gained cult status after becoming apart of the midnight movie circuit when Roger corman acquired distribution rights. Roger Corman brought the film to a US audience (with subtitles) in 1973. It was a slow start but became popular for its soundtrack and its counter cultural themes much like the biker films of the time.

The films cultural influence can still be felt today, the soundtrack alone introduced reggae to a whole new audience. Setting the stage for legends like Bob Marley to come soon after. The film Scarface (1983) also mirrors a lot of this movie. A migrant in search for work rises up the ranks amongst the poverty and corruption surrounding the main character.