The Harder They Come (1972)

In the sun-drenched, rhythm-infused heart of Jamaica, we meet Ivanhoe "Ivan" Martin, a young countryman portrayed with intensity by Jimmy Cliff. Following the death of his grandmother, he's drawn to the pulsating city, dreams of stardom twinkling in his eyes. His quest for work is met with harsh reality and closed doors, but Ivan's spirit remains undeterred. His heart beats with the rhythm of reggae music, yearning for recognition, for a chance to shine. A breakthrough seems imminent when he records a single, a melody that captures the zeitgeist and resonates with the people. But the path to fame is fraught with shadows. The record company, entwined with the underworld, holds the strings, leaving Ivan with mere echoes of his success. Caught in the grim nexus of music industry corruption and drug-infused power plays, Ivan finds himself at a crossroads. His dreams, however, refuse to bow down to adversity. His spirit, much like his music, is rebellious, vibrant, and unyielding. In an act of desperation, Ivan steps into the gritty world of crime, letting nothing - not even the law - stand in his way. 'The Harder They Come' is a poignant exploration of dreams, resilience, and the complex dance between power and ambition. It's a rhythmic journey that vibrates with the heartbeat of Jamaica, painting a vivid portrait of a man's relentless pursuit of his dreams against the pulsating backdrop of a city that embodies both promise and peril.

The Harder They Come is a crime movie featuring Jimmy Cliff and directed by Perry Henzell.

The Harder They Come is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Freevee, Kanopy, Peacock, Peacock Premium, Plex, Plex Player, Pluto TV, Shout! Factory TV and Tubi TV and it's also available on Criterion Channel, Fandor and Fandor Amazon Channel.

It is also possible to buy The Harder They Come on Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, Microsoft Store and YouTube.