The Harder They Come

Ivanhoe Martin arrives in Kingston, Jamaica, looking for work and, after some initial struggles, lands a recording contract as a reggae singer. He records his first song, "The Harder They Come," but after a bitter dispute with a manipulative producer named Hilton, soon finds himself resorting to petty crime in order to pay the bills. He deals marijuana, kills some abusive cops and earns local folk hero status. Meanwhile, his record is topping the charts.

Cast

Jimmy Cliff

Ivanhoe "Ivan" Martin

Janet Bartley

Elsa

Carl Bradshaw

Jose

Ras Daniel Hartman

Pedro

Basil Keane

Preacher

Bob Charlton

Hilton

Winston Stona

Detective Ray Jones

Lucia White

Mother

Volair Johnson

Pushcart Boy

Beverly Anderson

Housewife