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Countryman (1982)

Director: Dickie Jobson

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Movie review

From Time Out Film Guide

First production from Island Pictures, whose parent record company did so much to introduce reggae to a white audience, but The Harder They Come it ain't. An underworked script by writer/director Jobson has Countryman, a Jamaican village fisherman, rescuing two Americans whose small plane has crashed, then sheltering them as they become the quarry of a national man-hunt conducted to disgrace the opposition party during a national election. Unfortunately, the film never works out its political confusions. But even more problematic are the supernatural powers with which its innocent protagonist is endowed, probably the sticking point for wide audience acceptance. An excellent sampler-style soundtrack - Marley, Toots, Scratch Perry, Aswad - isn't enough to paper over the deficiencies. Nor is the film's superbly lush landscape cinematography.

Author: RM 0000-00-00 00:00:00

Time Out Film Guide

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User reviews of this film

  • Zeeb said...
    Posted on Aug 28 2007 02:12 Granted it is not perfect, but it is full of little mystical and religious references, and gives an accurate feeling of the political climate of Jamaica at the time. I have loved this film for years.
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Cast & crew

Director: Dickie Jobson

Producer: Chris Blackwell

Cast: Countryman, Hiram Keller, Carl Bradshaw, Basil Keane, Freshey Richardson, Kristina St Clair full cast

Genre(s): Action/Adventure

Duration: 100 mins


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