Taking Sides inna Jamaican Music Film Stylee:The Harder They Come vs. Rockers

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Which is the better film/soundtrack?

― Tripmaker (SDWitzm), Friday, 5 August 2005 16:12 (twenty years ago)

Sight?

― Tripmaker (SDWitzm), Friday, 5 August 2005 16:22 (twenty years ago)

As soundtracks both are great, but I have to give the edge to the former (although they could have come up with two tracks to replace the Jimmy Cliff repeats). Rockers remains great, however - "Money Worries" by the Maytones is fabulous, as is the Heptones' "Book of Rules" and the rest.
Haven't seen Rockers the movie, but can't imagine loving it as much as THTC.

― Jazzbo (jmcgaw), Friday, 5 August 2005 17:05 (twenty years ago)

ROCKERS is a really good movie, though!
In one scene, Dirty Harry stages a hostile takeover of a DJ booth.
I think ROCKERS is the more enjoyable film, myself, but I haven't watched THTC in years.

― Tripmaker (SDWitzm), Friday, 5 August 2005 17:16 (twenty years ago)

Well then, I must see it.

― Jazzbo (jmcgaw), Friday, 5 August 2005 17:18 (twenty years ago)

There are a lot of similarities in these films. Both star Reggae artists (Jimmy Cliff needs no intro; Horsemouth played drums for Burning Spear, among others), both have "Robin Hood" themes...It's odd just how similar they are...so maybe the ROCKERS story was just an uninspired bite off THTC?
Maybe there aren't enough people who have seen ROCKERS to make this a good discussion?

― Tripmaker (SDWitzm), Friday, 5 August 2005 17:24 (twenty years ago)

They're both great but I think THTC is a better movie. That DJ booth takeover scene you mention is hilarious though. I think Rockers is a little stronger musically in terms of showing lots of different little live bits and appearances by various musicians. I thought it was funny to see Augustus Pablo just kind of standing there as an extra in one scene. I think the biggest difference between the two is that Rockers is more focused on rastafarian stuff.

I just remembered the big heist at the end though! Rockers is definitely funnier. THTC is more dramatic and tragic.

― walter kranz (walterkranz), Friday, 5 August 2005 17:47 (twenty years ago)

Rockers was so much a celebration of what was (in retrospect) the highpoint of Jamaican popular culture. I love the myriad "guest shots" of folks like Gregory Isaacs and the overall feel that everyone involved knew how good it all was. For reggae lovers, it's a more entertaining film, though the story (a Robin Hood tale, compared to the more John Dillinger-esque THTC) probably isn't as strong as THTC.

― Dee Xtrovert (dee dee), Friday, 5 August 2005 22:00 (twenty years ago)

Great dialogue in "Rockers." "I am a peaceful Rastaman"!

― Rickey Wright (Rrrickey), Friday, 5 August 2005 22:26 (twenty years ago)

Here's my review of Rockers.
http://citypages.com/movies/detail.asp?MID=2898

I also recommend Dancehall Queen.

I'd side with The Harder They Come only because the story is more mythic, and the music, which spans more years, includes some of the greatest popular music ever set to tape. The live gospel scene is so great. If there's a film from the rock steady era rotting away somewhere, I hope somebody finds it.

― Pete Scholtes, Friday, 5 August 2005 22:42 (twenty years ago)

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