I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.

Fun premise, good actors, bad writing. This film seemed to have potential at the beginning but it quickly devolves into a trite action film. Ultimately it's very boring.

A great movie, one of the best of this year. There was a bit of confusion at one point in the plot, but nothing serious.

It’s not bad or unwatchable but despite the amplitude of the spectacle, the end result is underwhelming.

Musician Jimmy Cliff plays the lead role. He is coming to the new town. He is in search of a job. Food-less and homeless, he wanders around in search of a job. Finally, he comes to a preacher. He takes up the job as a mechanic. He meets a young girl there and falls in love.The movie is a cult entertainer. There are so many mistakes of beauty. Music and violence leads the movie a entertaining. The language may be little hard for normal audience, in that case better to watch with sub titles."You Can Get It If You Really Want..." this should be in your minds after watching the film.#KiduMovie

This is a Difficult Film to Review. The History of the Movie is Ripe with Cuts, More Cuts, and Cut Some More.There are Different Versions Floating around out there as this First Jamaican Feature Film has been "Loved To Death" by Reggae Music Enthusiasts, but the Movie has been Exploited by Home Distributors and given the "Bum's Rush" and Little Respect.It's Probably Worth a Watch in any Version, but Subtitles are Must. The Rastafarian Slang and Heavy Jamaican Accents are Thick and Elusive.It's a Standard Gangster Movie on the Surface, Loosely Based on a Real Life "Ivan". The Template of the Film is Raw but Beautiful, as is the Montage and the Acting.It Unapologetic-ally Films the Poverty and Squalor of Jamaica's Poor and has a Pro-Left, Liberal Agenda. Especially Concerning Political and Police Corruption.The Soundtrack that gets all the Ink is a Mixed Bag. The Music and Artist Selection is Seminal and Flawlessly Showcases Early Reggae's Biggest Influences. "The Harder They Come Soundtrack" is one of the Best Soundtracks Ever and for Anyone Interested in Reggae Music it's a Must Have.In the Movie, however, a lot of the Songs are Sparse, and some only get a Few Lines in the Background (owning the Soundtrack will eliminate this shortcoming). The Title Tune by Jimmy Cliff (who also Stars) is Overly-Used with others getting the Short End.Overall, the Amateur Acting Adds to the Gritty Feel of the Film and Director Perry Henzell Shows some Artistic Chops that makes the Movie a very Real Surreal Treat.Note...The Jamaican Government at the time of filming interfered at every level to stop the Movie from being Produced and Released. It's anti-establishment message and unfettered look at Jamaica was something that was not welcome. The Tourist Trade Ruled, and Reggae, Rastafarians, Rude Boys and Ganja were ignored at best and persecuted at worst.

In September 1948, outlaw Ivanhoe 'Rhygin' Martin, entered Jamaican folklore after dying in a hail of bullets during a shootout with police in Lime Cay. 25 years later, reggae star Jimmy Cliff appropriated the rude boy's name and legend for his lead role in Jamaica's first feature film, a rough 'n' ready expose of homegrown corruption, class war and poverty. And homegrown. (Had this film been rendered in smellovision they'd have had to stretcher out entire audiences in stunned but happy droves.) A much-loved cult item since release, it also boasts one of the greatest soundtracks in the business, featuring the Maytals, Desmond Decker and, naturally, Jimmy Cliff.

Ivanhoe Martin (Jimmy Cliff) lives in Jamaica. He goes to the big city to become a singer. However he gets his song taken (for $200.00) by an unscrupulous record producer and ends up selling marijuana. When he shoots three policeman dead he becomes sort of a hero...and his record starts selling.This was a HUGE cult movie in the 1970s and 80s. At one art cinema in Cambridge Massachusetts it played OVER 10 YEARS as a midnight movie! I tried to see it there back in the 1980s but had to leave after 15 minutes. Quite a few people were smoking pot openly in the theatre (Ah! The 80s!) and the smell was terrible. I finally caught it in the 1990s and I honestly can't see what all the fuss is about. It's not a terrible movies (I'm giving it a 7) but it's no great shakes. It's crudely made with terrible acting, a predictable story and dialogue that's almost impossible to understand (due to the strong Jamaican accents most of the cast has). This film also introduced (I think) reggae to America. The songs are great and Cliff really belts them out. Unfortunately there's only two or three songs and they're repeated again and again and AGAIN! The direction is good for such a low budget movie. So--I didn't hate it but I honestly can't see why people kept seeing this over and over. If it's just for the music they could have bought the album.