The Harder They Come
In 1972, a Jamaican film and its legendary soundtrack helped popularise reggae music in the world. Ben Henderson spoke to Jimmy Cliff, who played the film's main character.
In 1972, a low-budget Jamaican film and its legendary soundtrack helped popularise reggae music in the world.
Ben Henderson speaks to one of the most famous reggae artists ever, Jimmy Cliff, who played the film's protagonist and wrote a number of the songs.
Jimmy explains why the film was so popular and how it reflected his own life.
'The Harder They Come' was produced by International Films Inc.
(Photo: Jimmy Cliff in 'The Harder They Come'. Credit: Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images)
Last on
Broadcasts
- Thu 6 Oct 202207:50GMTBBC World Service
- Thu 6 Oct 202211:50GMTBBC World Service
- Thu 6 Oct 202217:50GMTBBC World Service except East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa
- Thu 6 Oct 202221:50GMTBBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only
- Fri 7 Oct 202202:50GMTBBC World Service
Featured in...
![]()
Music history—Witness History
Listen to and download our programmes
![]()
Black history—Witness History
Listen to and download our programmes
Podcast
![]()
Witness History
The story of our times, told by the people who were there



