The late Perry Henzell’s 1973 homage to his Jamaican homeland now looks less a cult movie than a milestone in world cinema. Its storyline is simple – a country boy corrupted by city life – but allows Henzell to paint a vivid portrait of Jamaica in all its beauty, squalor, exuberance and desperation.
The result is a blend of Thirties gangster flick and ganja western, propelled by a boss soundtrack and an immaculate lead performance by Jimmy Cliff.
NEIL SPENCER
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