Countryman

COUNTRYMAN has unusually good action, adventure, and Jamaican magic that sets itself aside our standard American form of entertainment. Originality is the key point of this flick. The reggae soundtrack that includes Bob Marley & The Wailers is well done for a rarity. The bad thing wrong with the movie is the speech. While a few may understand the dialogue that is spoken, many will have a rough time following along. Still, this is an overlooked cult classic that should get another chance at a video release.

The "plot outline" above is not correct... Countryman finds a young woman AND her boyfriend after their plane crashes in the countryside. the plane was flown by the boyfriend who happens to be a CIA agent and is smuggling guns, not marijuana.

This movie is more about the music and magic of Jamaica and Rastafari than it is about great plot lines and tricky movie-making. The movie makers actually wrapped the movie around the music and the mysticism and naturalism of Rasta. The actors are mostly locals who were put to work based on their looks, particularly Countryman who the plot was built around (whose real name is not Countryman, but since the making of the movie has become known as Countryman.) A great movie, albeit a little campy.

GREAT music, satisfying plot; a couple violent scenes make it iffy around kids.

The politics of the government coupled with the Rastafari is both amusing and interesting folklore (if you please). The acting did not appear fictitious, but native Jamaicans can relate to the rustic implications of obeah. I would love to own it personally.

Countryman is one of my favorite movies. This is actually a very well made film. Parts of the film seem compromised to the extent that it was influenced by American Cinema, but the film exposes aspects of Jamaican culture that i'm sure many aren't familiar with. Also, the Jamaican/Rastafarian vernacular, though it is a little tough to pick up on upon first hearing it, is very beautiful and poetic. This film conveys the idea that we should love and help out eachother, an idea rarely found in modern Western cinema anymore. This is one of the only movies I really even like anymore. Also, this film has an excellent soundtrack and quite possibly the best kung-fu scene ever!