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.
Jimmy Cliff
as Ivanhoe "Ivan" Martin
Janet Bartley
as Elsa
Carl Bradshaw
as Jose
Ras Daniel Hartman
as Pedro
Basil Keane
as Preacher
Bob Charlton
as Hilton
Winston Stona
as Detective Ray Jones
Lucia White
as Mother
Volair Johnson
as Pushcart Boy
Beverly Anderson
as Housewife
Clover Lewis
as Market Woman
Elijah Chambers
as Longa
