What do you do when the sun is blaring, it’s 95 degrees, you’re stuck inside with no AC, stripped down to your skivvies, and you’re all out ice cream? Well in my case — as I sat sweating profusely in my living room, clinging to consciousness and begging for a breeze — I began fantasizing about visiting tropical beaches: long listless days wading in cool clear waters, no worries in sight. And as I traveled between my seaside reveries and my hellish reality, I went on a feverish search for movies that take place at the beach, where all problems can be solved by taking a dip. What I found was Countryman, a unique little Jamaican gem with a lot of heart!
The Quick Gist
A Rastafarian named Countryman saves an American couple who crash lands their plane into the jungles of Jamaica. Now wanted by the authorities, Countryment tries to help them escape.
Countryman (1982)
Made in 1982 and directed by Dickie Jobson, Countryman is about a Rastafarian (played by non-actor Edwin “Countryman” Lothan) who saves an American couple who crash lands their plane into the jungles of Jamaica. Moments from becoming crocodile food, Country bursts on the scene to save the day, demanding the young woman to take off her shirt and throw it to him. Why? Well, to fight off the crocodile, of course! How else would he be able to do it???
Countryman is a simple fisherman who owns but one pair of swim trunks. A spiritual man who “gives his body to the climate." A Rastafarian in tune with the world around him. And as is soon evident, a loyal friend. For Country goes out of his way to help these Americans, who have found themselves trapped on this island, now on the run from the police, enmeshed in a political plot. Because there’s an election happening, and the powers that be need to ensure a political victory. So they decide to make up a lie that they are actually CIA operatives, on a mission to steal the election. It’s the good ol’ classic stoke fear in the population to maintain control trick.
Countryman, the actor and the person, is the real deal. There’s a true authenticity about him. Which makes sense, because according to all accounts and those who knew him, the Countryman you see in the film is the Countryman you get in real life. A humble man who asks for little and is content living the simple life.
But aside from our nearly always naked protagonist, it’s the setting of this movie that really shines. The natural beauty of Hellshire Beach sparkles and entices. And I imagine it would have even better with a decent transfer. Which brings me to my next point.
The quality of this movie is poor, to say the least. I’m not sure if there even exists a better online version. While this movie is actually available on YouTube, along with the poor quality, the audio sync is terribly off, which for me makes it totally unwatchable.
But what does make it watchable, aside from the killer settings and the cool calming presence of Countryman, is the soundtrack, which features Bob Marley, Steel Pulse, Toots & The Maytals, and plenty more. The heavy rotation of Bob Marley makes sense, not just because of the Jamaican setting, but because Dickie Jobson was his manager from 1973-1975. The movie is dedicated to him.
Additionally the film was produced by Chris Blackwell, founder of Island Records, and (uncredited) executive producer of another great Jamaican film, The Harder They Come directed by Perry Henzell and starring Jimmy Cliff. This flick can be watched on the Criterion Channel; a film I recommend, and consider superior to Countryman (sorry Country).
Also, what’s nice about this movie is the nearly full attention it gives to Countryman, rather than the two white Americans. In a different kind of movie, Country might have been the man behind the title, but regulated to a supporting role, used solely as means for the Americans to manage their escape. It’s refreshing.
Anyway, this is a fun curiosity if you’re in the mood. A cult classic in Jamaica. It can at times feel a bit slow and awkwardly paced, but there’s also an interesting rhythm to it. Moments make this film: Countryman as he walks the beach, a distant radio playing reggae and news reports, a meal shared between Country and the couple, and a truly bizarre kung fu-esque fight scene make this worth a watch. There’s a strangely mesmerizing performance by Country and epic beach locations that’ll make you wish you were drinking virgin pina coladas beachside instead of reading this newsletter.
Along with the film, I’ve put up a little featurette, with interviews from Countryman himself, as well as a few other crucial collaborators. With that, enjoy!
This week’s password: Countryman!
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Supplements
Read this tribute of Countryman to see what he was like and the impression he left.