Criterion Reflections – Episode 146 – Perry Henzell’s The Harder They Come

David and guests conclude a 3-part series on Black cinema of February 1973 with a discussion of a Jamaican midnight movie classic that launched reggae a a major force in global popular music.

Criterion Reflections is David Blakeslee’s ongoing project to watch all of the films included in the Criterion Collection in chronological order of their original release. Each episode of Season 5: 1973 features a short video clip in which David offers a few thoughts about films that were destined to eventually bear the Criterion imprint, whether published on physical media or made available on their streaming platform. These clips will occasionally be accompanied by lengthier podcast episodes including other guests for films that call for more in-depth coverage. In this episode, David is joined by Richard Doyle, Josh Hornbeck, Brad McDermott, and James Merritt to discuss The Harder They Come, directed by Perry Henzell. In 2000, the Criterion Collection published the film on DVD as Spine 83. It is currently streaming on the Criterion Channel and available on Blu-ray and DVD in editions published by Shout! Factory.

Wikipedia
Letterboxd
Caribbean Beat
Jakes Hotel
Jamaicans.com
RastaStudio
ReggaeZine
The Guardian (obituary)
New York Times (obituary)

THE HARDER THEY COME

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Shout! Factory
Wikipedia
Letterboxd
JustWatch
Boston Phoenix (1973)
New York Times (1973)
Roger Ebert (1973)
Variety (1972)
Cinepassion
Cole Smithey
Criterion Confessions
Criterion Contraption
Every 70s Movie
Fanboy Nation
Midnight Only
Rock! Shock! Pop!
Salon
San Francisco Chronicle
Slant
Spinning Image
TCM

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