Rockers

Starring: Gregory Isaacs, Richard Hall, Marjorie Norman, Winston Rodney, Leroy Wallace

Directed by: Ted Bafaloukos

RS: 4of 4 Stars

1978 Comedy

It's little wonder that Rockers isn't as well known as reggae's most famous flick, The Harder They Come. Its Rasta-patois dialogue requires subtitles, and lead Leroy "Horsemouth" Wallace is no pretty boy like Jimmy Cliff. But despite the two films' narrative similarity (a vexed musician intent on improving his lot), Rockers is superior. From its opening scene of a Nayabinghi drum circle, the film brims with immortal footage both in studio (Jack Ruby at Channel One) and in concert (Gregory Isaacs in a powder-blue tuxedo). "The big boy control the business -- me have to do somet'ing 'bout it," Horsemouth says, buying a motorbike to distribute records himself. "That's why you must play the drums and blow the big guy's mind!" replies Big Youth. As Horsemouth sets about doing both, Rockers interweaves a love story and a wild heist while utilizing topical tunes like Junior Murvin's "Police and Thieves" during a house-party raid. With bios of the stars and an exhaustive patois glossary, this beautiful edition does a crucial film necessary justice.