Rockers (1979)

Reggae was a well established part of popular culture in the late 1970s, so it only made sense that there would be a movie focusing on Jamaica. Ted Bafaloukos's "Rockers" focuses on a drummer whose motorcycle gets stolen. It's sort of "The Bicycle Thief" meets Robin Hood.The characters break the fourth wall in a few scenes, and most of the dialogue is subtitled due to the thick accents. Basically, this is the textbook definition of true-to-life. Apparently, Bafaloukos (originally from Greece) first went to Jamaica in 1975 as a freelance photographer for Island Records, and the Jamaicans mistook him for a CIA agent. Whatever the case, he turned out one impressive movie. This one, "The Harder They Come" and "Land of Look Behind" (about Bob Marley's funeral) are the trio of great movies about Jamaica.

Rockers is so completely enjoyable and totally unique. Shot on location and starring a community full of Reggae superstars. I would disagree that the plot here is inconsequential. The plot is a quest for a man to rise above his status and make himself, his family and community stronger. His values - peace, love, neighborliness - are tested by the gangsters who try to stop him. But he rises above them and meets the challenge. The end is perfect and sweet. The use of real people as actors and the very poignant of real life in Jamaica is incredibly unusual. And the real question here is who is this Greek director and writer and how did he get so deep inside the Rasta community?

One of my all time favorites! I've been looking for this one for a long long time. Having very strong documentary features, this film keeps surprising the viewer every minute. It is (at least for the first half an hour or so) as if someone just shouldered a camera and followed Horsemouth around Kingston doing his daily hustlin' business. Most of the the main characters are real people, playing themselves, esp. reggae artists and producers, and most of the locations are real as well. Later the plot turns into kind of a Robin Hood scenario, when the ghetto people strike back against the upper class mafia guys. What I like most about this movie is its many layers. It's like a deep insight into Jamaican society of the late 70's, the golden era of roots reggae, in all its many aspects like class struggle, Rastafari, family and religious issues. Several times, like in the opening scene or when Horsey gets punched by Sunshine's father, characters directly address the viewer personally by facing the camera which I've never seen used like this anywhere else. Technically it's remarkably well done (apart from some pretty dark underexposed moments), for instance they manage to have many songs of the soundtrack coming from actual sources in the picture. In one word: Great stuff, not only if you're into old school dub and reggae. If you have it, treasure it! If you don't, get it and then treasure it.

I-man loves this movie! A true classic! Everyt'ing from the music to the actors to the land of the JA makes this a must see. Much more intimate than "The Harder They Come" and not as dark. This is also a very funny movie. The "Stepping Razor" walking montage is classic hilarity! Get this film and keep it in your collection. Do not lend it out or you might not see it again, sight? Without taking away from the great directing Theodore Bafaloukos did, this movie almost makes itself! Show me a movie with realer characters and I'll argue you with you day and night, seen? The soundtrack is great! All kinds of reggae styles from a cross-section of artists...many of whom are in the film! Jah Guide, Protection Until Time, and Loveful Heights!