Poole69

Brilliant film. I was surprised to find it was made for television. It seems the quality of work for TV can be more bold and impressive than what theatrical runs can dare in the 20th century. This film is a great example of talent finding the audience. HBO and Frankenheimer were a great team in this production.

Made on a shoestring, Perry Hentel brought the gritty, hardscrabble life of the Jamaican poor to the world. Although Roger Corman brought this film to an American audience, it took a year and the midnight show audience to appreciate the film's music and brilliant tell of a Jamaican folk hero's tale.

This film was the gateway for Eric Clapton's huge hit of Marley's "I Shot the Sheriff" to come through. Made with a shoestring budget, the production quality is striking in it's brilliant framing and editing. The script is excellent in plot movement and laying out the political and economic subtext that architect's the choices and framework of the protagonist's motivations and actions.

I saw the original release and have gone back to see the studio scene where Cliff records his hit song many times. Great song, performance and filmwork.

Just saw again in a long while and couldn't take my eyes off the screen. A classic!

Henzel couldn't find financing for his second film for over THIRTY years. What a tragedy.

A film full of great performances and harsh editing. Truly enjoyable with great chemistry between the two primary leads of Maggie Smith and Rod Taylor, but also many great supporting performances. Great cinematography and settings, this should have been 30 minutes longer for the material to breathe and give clearer exposition.

Still, I found this to be great cinema and an enlightening view into the art arising from the Irish rebellion.