It’s the 40th anniversary of reggae classic film The Harder they Come, starring Jimmy Cliff and directed by Perry Henzell. This fall, one-night-only screenings in North America and the United Kingdom will commence with a special showing in Los Angeles on September 3rd at the Arclight Cinemas Hollywood. The film will release wide on Thursday, September 5th at theatres in most major markets. Full theatre and ticket information is available online at www.thehardertheycome.com/theatres.

Syndctd Entertainment & International Films Management (IFM) have officially announced they will theatrically re-release Perry Henzell’s cult classic film “The Harder They Come,” to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of its US premiere. On opening night in Kingston, Jamaica, the reggae-fueled hit provoked riots when thousands could not get into the sold-out Carib Theater. The February 1973 launch in New York led to six straight years of cannabis-smoke filled midnight screenings around the United States and has gone on to become one of the best regarded independent films of all time.

This fall, one-night-only screenings in North America and the United Kingdom will commence with a special showing in Los Angeles on September 3rd at the Arclight Cinemas Hollywood. The film will release wide on Thursday, September 5th at theatres in most major markets. Full theatre and ticket information is available online at www.thehardertheycome.com/theatres.

“The Harder They Come” stars GRAMMYâ winning legend Jimmy Cliff as Ivan Martin, an aspiring reggae singer-songwriter, who turns to life as an outlaw after being swindled by the corrupt record industry. Directed and produced by the late Perry Henzell, and co-written with Trevor Rhone, the film ranked among AMC’s all-time Cult Classics. “I had a choice when I set out,” Henzell once said, “to make a film for Jamaicans or…for the rest of the world. I chose to make a film for Jamaica.”

In the end, the film’s impact was felt far beyond the Caribbean, introducing both Jamaica and reggae to the world while launching Jimmy’s music career to international success. “I knew 40 years ago we had something special with the film. With the re-release of “The Harder They Come,” combined with my upcoming tour and recent Grammy win, I couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate the past, present and future.” says Jimmy.

To commemorate the 40th Anniversary, the film will be released theatrically in its fully restored and re-mastered version for pristine theatrical presentation, by IFM’s long time distribution partner Xenon Pictures, who will be releasing a Blu-ray version for release later in 2013. As a part of Syndctd’s 360-degree approach to re-launching the classic film to a new audience, a brand new merchandise line has been created with a fresh take on vintage artwork from the film. Fans around the world will be able to purchase the clothing at select theatres, national retail outlets and online through the film’s newly revamped website (http://thehardertheycome.com). Syndctd also ran a very successful crowd-sourced poster re-design contest on Facebook, asking fans and artists to submit their own take on the original poster artwork. The commemorative winning poster design will be displayed in theatres nationwide. “We are honored to be working with Justine Henzell at IFM and Jimmy Cliff to re-release such a classic and historic film back onto the big screen. Xenon’s newly restored version and the film’s unforgettable soundtrack will be an amazing experience for fans of all generations to enjoy in movie theatres around the world,” say Syndctd Entertainment co-founders Philip Camino and Jonathan Chaupin.

In conjunction with the re-release of “The Harder They Come,” Jimmy will embark on a 17 date tour, performing in intimate theatre and club settings in the US on his “2013 Many Rivers Crossed Tour,” beginning September 6. For tickets, info and other tour dates, visit www.jimmycliff.com