THE HARDER THEY COME (1972)

• Director: Perry Henzell
• Cast: Jimmy Cliff, Janet Bartley, Carl Bradshaw
• Film: 103mins | Jamaica | Subtitles | Intermission
• Event: 18:30 – 21:00 / Doors 18:00 [18+]

Cult film night BAR TRASH continues our 13th sensational season — SCREAM FOR YOUR LIVES! — with the greatest reggae film of all time and a landmark of Caribbean cinema, Perry Henzell’s THE HARDER THEY COME (1972).

THE HARDER THEY COME is the essential reggae-rebel story of a young, gifted and Black Kingston musician whose attempt to lift himself out of poverty leads to crisis. Reggae legend Jimmy Cliff plays the young outlaw who fights back against a corrupt system, becomes a star, but ends up on the run. 

The film’s legendary soundtrack album was credited as “bringing reggae to the world” and features Cliff singing ‘The Harder They Come’, ‘You Can Get It If You Really Want’, and ‘Many Rivers To Cross’. After a lacklustre theatrical release in the USA — the film was banned in Jamaica for allegedly inciting crime — THE HARDER THEY COME found its midnight audience in NYC and is one of the more brazenly political of the late night cult classics.

Police notice: We are showing THE HARDER THEY COME with subtitles from the best available digital source. The BBFC warns of “strong language and violence” as well as “drug misuse [that] is not condoned by the work as a whole”. You have been warned…

/// BAR TRASH is a celebration of cult and curious cinema, hosted by queer film fanatic Token Homo and friends. Films are served with introductions, intermissions, prize giveaways, and subtitles / captions where possible. Tickets from £3.50 + fees. Adults 18+ only. Follow @tokenhomo on Instagram for updates. ///