Customer Reviews

Rockers [VHS]

5 star:		(23)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Rockers is a rough, rugged and raw look at Jamaica in the mid 70s, a time of extreme political unrest and economic desparation.

Horsemouth (played by real life musician, Leroy 'Horsemouth' Wallace) is a Kingston drummer, known to be one of the best session players around. But times are hard inna the ghetto and Horsemouth can't get enough work to feed his children. After he convinces his very patient wife to give him her life savings, he purchases a motorcycle and travels the island as an independent promoter, distributing the hottest reggae tunes to the record stores starved for the latest rhythms. Everything is going smoothly until Horsemouth accidently stumbles upon a massive burglary ring run by some shady "mafia boy" businessmen.

But no worries, Rasta cyaan fail. With the help of his musical bredren (including Gregory Isaacs, Burning Spear, Jacob Miller, and a host of other reggae legends) Horsemouth triumphs in the end.

Rockers is a rough, rugged and raw look at Jamaica in the mid 70s, a time of extreme political unrest and economic desparation.

Horsemouth (played by real life musician, Leroy 'Horsemouth' Wallace) is a Kingston drummer, known to be one of the best session players around. But times are hard inna the ghetto and Horsemouth can't get enough work to feed his children. After he convinces his very patient wife to give him her life savings, he purchases a motorcycle and travels the island as an independent promoter, distributing the hottest reggae tunes to the record stores starved for the latest rhythms.

Everything is going smoothly until Horsemouth accidently stumbles upon a massive burglary ring run by some shady "mafia boy" businessmen.

But no worries, Rasta cyaan fail. With the help of his musical bredren (including Gregory Isaacs, Burning Spear, Jacob Miller, and a host of other reggae legends) Horsemouth triumphs in the end.

I loved Rockers. Authentically captures the magic of Rasta and the Reggae scene at its heyday. Great acting, delighful and chaotic Jamaican dialogue, and well filmed. The musical performances are just awesome, especially the hauntingly beautiful acapella version of Jah No Dead by a young Burning Spear.
The patois glossary in the extras is fun if a bit cheesy, and although the interview with the director is a bit slow it is still interesting for its insight into the Jamaican music scene at the time.
This film is a one of a kind and very satisfying for lovers of Reggae, Rasta and Jamaica.

I'm big reggae fan from the late seventies and had heard about the movie and sountrack, but it wasn't until one day, while browsing tower records in boston that I stumbled across a copy of the movie. I raced home and watched it, suddenly transported to another time. A GREAT movie to sit back and "spark one". This movie catches reggae at it's musical apex, as many of the great reggae stars from the times are present in the movie, whether playing starring roles, bit parts or making cameos. A great great movie.

This movie is a refreshing look at the Rasta way of life, in the process depicting enteprenuership, the Jamaican record industry, micro economics, passion for a classic motorbike, and imaginitive courage in the face of a downpressing system.

A truly authentic movie, so thick in dialect, and pure in inspiration. The music score fits meaningfully into every scene, and Burning Spear does some excellent melodic counseling in person.

The whole record industry element of this movie is also especially interesting with the advent of mp3 and our current music habits.

I usually don't buy VHS anymore, but I dont think this is on the list for DVD conversion- so I bought it a couple weeks ago.

I'll just add that Burning Spear's acapella solo, "Jah, No Dead"
is worth the price.

When I first watched this, I had no idea what to expect. After it's all said and done, this is one of my favorite movies. Hopefully you don't mind subtitles (or speak rasta). Great tunes backing a movie with an even greater message. It'll make you skin your teeth. Two thumbs up!

I really enjoyed Rockers. I am glad to add it to my Jamaican movie collection. I think people should gain a clear understanding of pre colonial, post colonial and present Jamaica in order to understand any authentic Jamaican movie.

Very enjoyable movie. The music was authentic, the characters were actual reggae stars and the "Robin Hood" theme went over well.

Favorite scene: When the lead character was vexed about his motorbike being stolen and he went to his friend. He and his friend went, walked, and sat by the river and his friend sang a song that calmed the lead character's spirits. That is the most beautiful scene I have ever, ever seen in any movie. It showed true, true friendship.

This was an awesome film. It was raw and authentic life in Jamaica. I loved all the cameo appearences by famous Reggae artist like: Burning Spear, Jacob Miller, Gregory Issacs and more. The performances were great but because they were speaking in patois it was great that I kept the caption on the first time watching it.

I recommend this movie as well as Countryman.