The Harder They Come

The Harder They Come is a 1972 Jamaican crime film directed by Perry Henzell and cowritten by Trevor D. Rhone, and starring Jimmy Cliff. The film is most famous for its reggae soundtrack that is said to have brought reggae to the world.

The film stars reggae singer Jimmy Cliff, who plays Ivanhoe Martin, a character based upon a reallife Jamaican criminal of that name, better known as Rhyging, who achieved fame in the 1940s. Prior to filming, the project had a working title of Rhygin. This then changed to Hard Road to Travel before finally being changed to The Harder They Come, prompting Cliff to write the song of the same name. The story very loosely follows the real MartinRhygings life updated to the 1970s, though the historical Rhyging was not a musician or drug dealer.Cliffs previous acting experience had come from school productions. Other major roles in the film were played by Janet Bartley Elsa, Basil Keane Preacher, Ras Daniel Hartman Pedro, Beverly Anderson, who eventually married Michael Manley who became the Prime Minister of Jamaica Upper St. Andrew Housewife, Bob Charlton Hilton, Jamaican actor Volair Johnson Pushcart Boy, and well known Jamaican comedians Bim and Bam Ed Bim Lewis Photographer, and Aston Bam Wynter drunken husband. ........

Source: Wikipedia