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.
14 Reviews
continuity is good, Jamaicans can relate to the real topics.
alzinam230 November 2002
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 plot outline
wkh-33 November 2006
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.
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.
unique Caribbean adventure
sailor7sam1 February 2005
Warning: Spoilers
unique, fun adventure set in Jamaica (or some place very like Jamaica). the title character rescues two plane crash survivors from the swamp, and then hides them from the police, one of whom seeks help from the dreaded Obeahman.
the best thing about this movie to me is the locations and local people; this takes place out in the country, not in some sterile resort like most Hollywood-goes-to-the-islands type movies. and the Reggae music is awesome (I highly recommend the soundtrack).
See Countryman neutralize an alligator with a red sweater! see Countryman fight off some rude boys with a shovel! see Countryman run across half the island! see Countryman bribe a jail guard ('here money'!) see Countryman face down the dreaded Mosman!
see...Countryman!
good luck finding this obscure film (our local Blockbuster had it but now its gone). watch it with the more recent Might Quinn. warning; very little blood or violence or bad language (some of the patois is hard to understand) but a topless scene puts this in the R category.
the best thing about this movie to me is the locations and local people; this takes place out in the country, not in some sterile resort like most Hollywood-goes-to-the-islands type movies. and the Reggae music is awesome (I highly recommend the soundtrack).
See Countryman neutralize an alligator with a red sweater! see Countryman fight off some rude boys with a shovel! see Countryman run across half the island! see Countryman bribe a jail guard ('here money'!) see Countryman face down the dreaded Mosman!
see...Countryman!
good luck finding this obscure film (our local Blockbuster had it but now its gone). watch it with the more recent Might Quinn. warning; very little blood or violence or bad language (some of the patois is hard to understand) but a topless scene puts this in the R category.
Great music, scenery & a little mysticism
llp2312 February 2014
A plane crashes deep in the heart of a Caribbean island. A local fisherman, Countryman, rescues the man and woman, but soon finds they are being hunted by the army. This film could have been the template for the second half of Crocodile Dundee 2 - a journey through a wild land, a hero who respects the land and its mystical aspects, and villains who come a cropper in their disrespect for nature. The film has a certain charm, walking a fine line between the innocence of the hero, and the worldly events that impinge on his way of life. The soundtrack is amazing, some early versions of classic Bob Marley (Small Axe) and Toots & the Maytals (Bam Bam) - and many other great reggae tunes.
Overall, an enjoyable, eco-friendly film with killer music.
Overall, an enjoyable, eco-friendly film with killer music.
wkh-3 got it wrong
smiler565 February 2008
A plane crashes in the wilds of Jamaica and the crew of two are rescued by 'Countryman'. If we all had this guys attitude to life, the world would be a much nicer place. The bad guys are bad, and the good guys are good. Great reggae music and some wonderful views of the island. Lots of locals involved in the film, and I can see why subtitles were added to the DVD version. The local patois can be difficult to understand. If you like reggae music please try to see this movie. Low budget, average plot but if you're in the right mood, it rides like a Harley on an empty road at midnight. My thanks to all involved, it's one of the few films that I can watch over and over again.
Countryman. You're Jamaican me crazy! What a bizarre watch, this is!
ironhorse_iv26 September 2019
Warning: Spoilers
Yah Mon! This is one weird movie from Island Pictures! Directed by Dickie Jobson & shot in Jamaica, the film tells the story of poor mystic fisherman (Countryman aka Edwin Lothan) whom is hurled into a natural crisis when he rescues & hides supposedly American CIA agent Bobby Lloyd (Hiram Keller) and his pilot Beau Porter (Kristina St. Clair) in the thick jungle away from the local corrupt government trying to use them as leverage in a close political election. Without spoiling the movie too much, to truly understand what this confusing movie was going for, one must be familiar with the island's history toward inequality & its religious beliefs in Rastafari. If not, it will be really hard to follow. During the 1980s when this movie was made, Jamaicans saw the decline of people expanding their levity or life force. Enthusiasm for levity or every lasting righteous living was likely dampened by the death of Emperor of Ethiopia Haile Selassie in 1975. Many Jamaicans saw him as a messianic figure who could lead them to a golden age of eternal peace, righteousness, and prosperity. Following his demise, people within the movement look up to singer Bob Marley as the next leader. Not only was his music popular around the world, but many of his practices follow the Rastas beliefs. Nevertheless, he was also an outspoken supporter of the Democratic socialism & critic of the conservative labor parties until his death in 1981 from skin cancer. His involvement marked the beginning of a period of political violence within Jamaica as each group hired local gangsters to help them increase their hold on power. To make it worst, the CIA got involved many times, often providing aid due to the fear of Cuban-style communist government. This is the world where the audience is inducted to. The radio broadcast throughout the film does a good job establishing the surroundings, but even with that, unfortunately, the film never figure out its political confusions. After all, why on the earth would Countryman help a foreign agency member get away, when in real-life, they're the ones helping to keep the poor down? Nor does it explain well why the government want the agent put on trial when they're secretly in cahoots with each other? Sadly, the story nor the characters don't really tell us much about that. Plus, the patois spoken can be a bit thin. Don't get me wrong, all of the nonprofessional performers involved were not that bad in acting, but I can see why subtitles were added to the DVD version of this film. The guy playing Countryman's mentor, Jahman is by far the hardest to understand as he mumbles most of his lines. As for the non-local performers, Hiram Keller was kinda forgettable in the role. As for his wife actress Kristina St. Clair, her character was pretty much a dumb damsel in distress simpleton. Nothing too amazing with her. I think the only person that they got her in the film was the fact that she was willing to show some skin. After all, the whole topless scene in the beginning was honestly not really needed. Nevertheless, the actor playing the titular character was pretty good. While, he had no formal education, he was intelligent enough to come across as somebody deep rather than nuts. People in Jamaica were drawn to him instantly to the point that he became somewhat a local icon after Bob Marley's death in the Rastas community, even if his character didn't follow all the beliefs. After all, he did bribe a cop. Nevertheless, he was a mostly a highly respectful character. Still, the filmmakers did make him somewhat laughable during the action sequences. The whole mystical powers slow motion running to the jailhouse was just way too drawn out despite the film's superbly lush landscape cinematography. Another scene that was a bit much for me to take was him able to lift heavy objects like people and throwing them in the dark. It was not well choreographic. It was unrealistic fake and rough looking. Nevertheless, most of the scenes with him with the villain, Mosman (Freshey Richardson) were fine, even if the hawk attacking scene was kinda tacky. Their epic final encounter at the cliff side kinda made up for it. I just wish they establish more of a link to him and the guy that represent the Angel of Death. That was somewhat jarring. As for the reggae music performed by Lee "Scratch" Perry, Bob Marley & the Wailers, Steel Pulse, Dennis Brown, Aswad, Toots & the Maytals and Rico Rodriguez throughout the film. They oddly don't really match well with what's happening on scene. It too was problematic. Overall: It's still quite a watchable movie even with the surrealism. In the end, it's just irie.
i like this movie
fruitthat8itself18 April 2003
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!
countryman
mossgrymk8 March 2021
With the glorious exception of Kristina St. Clair's nubile bod, of which director Dickie Jobson thoughtfully provides us an ample supply, there's nothing much to see here. Plenty to hear, however, as per usual for a Jamaican film. D plus.
A Jamaican classic - not to be missed.
lafilm25 April 2008
A classic Jamaican film. Contains one of the best Reggae soundtracks ever. Artists like Bob Marley support the soul of the film.
Viewed at the 2008 Jamaican Film Festival in Kingston it was received with a standing ovation. Seeing it now revealed fresh insights. It played like a new film. A little put off by unfortunate post production dubbing from Jamacian patois in the print viewed. Story is driven by sheer energy. The actor, Countryman, is the real deal and he holds magical interest when on screen. We understand that a sequel is in the works. This film is a must see for lovers of Jamaica and it's music. Hat's off to its creator, Dickie Jobson.
Viewed at the 2008 Jamaican Film Festival in Kingston it was received with a standing ovation. Seeing it now revealed fresh insights. It played like a new film. A little put off by unfortunate post production dubbing from Jamacian patois in the print viewed. Story is driven by sheer energy. The actor, Countryman, is the real deal and he holds magical interest when on screen. We understand that a sequel is in the works. This film is a must see for lovers of Jamaica and it's music. Hat's off to its creator, Dickie Jobson.
Great scenery and locations!
hemisphere65-121 March 2021
A "must" for reggae lovers!
Scot-623 September 1998
Most impressive
Jcowden22 December 2019
Warning: Spoilers
As an editor and a wanna be director, I enjoyed this tremendously, I highly recommend, as it rarely lagged and even though the language was a little difficult to parse, the surrounding action filled in the communication blanks nicely.
A surreal portrayal of a man, who lives off the world, in the finest tradition of Joseph Campbell's heroic myth. Chivalry on a primitive scale but none the less noble. In the tradition of Sun Tzu's Art of War, he sought no confrontation but when left without other options, he rose to overwhelm attacks made by opponents, that had vastly underestimated his prowess. Part Shaman, part Superman, all hero his opposition regrets chasing him, well, only the survivors, that is. And like Zorro or the Lone Ranger, it was a flourish, and a wave goodbye, as he leaves towards the horizon, as his charges sail off to safety. Karma takes care of some of the crooked politicians responsible for this mess, in the form of opposition firing squads. And BTW, photography was low budget but gorgeous, and actually gave certain cinema verite feel. I suppose was intended to give reality, to the metaphysical, but a happy accident or serendipitous, if not done on purpose.
Its Alright Mon
ThunderKing627 February 2021
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