Official Movie Website Theatrical Release 12/08/06 Home Video 03/20/07 MPAA Rating Rated R for strong violence and language Running Time 2 hours 18 minutes Genre Drama, Action Director Edward Zwick Writer Charles Leavitt, Edward Zwick, Marshall Herskovitz Cast Leonardo DiCaprio, Djimon Hounsou, Jennifer Connelly, James Purefoy, Arnold Vosloo, Stephen Collins, Michael Sheen Studio Warner Brothers |
BLOOD DIAMOND
SYNOPSIS
Set against the backdrop of the chaos and civil
war that enveloped 1990s Sierra Leone, "Blood
Diamond" is the story of Danny Archer
(Leonardo DiCaprio), an ex-mercenary from
Zimbabwe, and Solomon Vandy (Djimon
Hounsou), a Mende fisherman. Both men are
African, but their histories and their
circumstances are as different as any can be
until their fates become joined in a common
quest to recover a rare pink diamond, the kind
of stone that can transform a life…or end it.
Solomon, who has been taken from his family
and forced to work in the diamond fields, finds
the extraordinary gem and hides it at great risk,
knowing if he is discovered, he will be killed
instantly. But he also knows the diamond could
not only provide the means to save his wife and
daughters from a life as refugees but also help
rescue his son, Dia, from an even worse fate as
a child soldier.
Archer, who has made his living trading
diamonds for arms, learns of Solomon's hidden
stone while in prison for smuggling. He knows a
diamond like this is a once-in-a-lifetime find—
valuable enough to be his ticket out of Africa
and away from the cycle of violence and
corruption in which he has been a willing player.
Set against the backdrop of the chaos and civil
war that enveloped 1990s Sierra Leone, "Blood
Diamond" is the story of Danny Archer
(Leonardo DiCaprio), an ex-mercenary from
Zimbabwe, and Solomon Vandy (Djimon
Hounsou), a Mende fisherman. Both men are
African, but their histories and their
circumstances are as different as any can be
until their fates become joined in a common
quest to recover a rare pink diamond, the kind
of stone that can transform a life…or end it.
Solomon, who has been taken from his family
and forced to work in the diamond fields, finds
the extraordinary gem and hides it at great risk,
knowing if he is discovered, he will be killed
instantly. But he also knows the diamond could
not only provide the means to save his wife and
daughters from a life as refugees but also help
rescue his son, Dia, from an even worse fate as
a child soldier.
Archer, who has made his living trading
diamonds for arms, learns of Solomon's hidden
stone while in prison for smuggling. He knows a
diamond like this is a once-in-a-lifetime find—
valuable enough to be his ticket out of Africa
and away from the cycle of violence and
corruption in which he has been a willing player.
© 2003 St. Louis Movie Review Weekly. All rights reserved, except where indicated.
All movie titles, pictures, etc...are the property of their respective studios.
All movie titles, pictures, etc...are the property of their respective studios.
| ST. LOUIS MOVIE REVIEW WEEKLY |
Enter Maddy Bowen (Jennifer Connelly), an idealistic American journalist who is in Sierra Leone to
uncover the truth behind conflict diamonds, exposing the complicity of diamond industry leaders who
have chosen profits over principles. Maddy seeks out Archer as a source for her article, but soon finds
it is he who needs her even more.
With Maddy's help, Archer and Solomon embark on a dangerous trek through rebel territory. Archer
needs Solomon to find and recover the valuable pink diamond, but Solomon seeks something far more
precious…his son.--©Warner Brothers
uncover the truth behind conflict diamonds, exposing the complicity of diamond industry leaders who
have chosen profits over principles. Maddy seeks out Archer as a source for her article, but soon finds
it is he who needs her even more.
With Maddy's help, Archer and Solomon embark on a dangerous trek through rebel territory. Archer
needs Solomon to find and recover the valuable pink diamond, but Solomon seeks something far more
precious…his son.--©Warner Brothers
BRENDA AND DAVID
Blood Diamond, directed by Edward Zwick takes place in Africa's war-torn Sierra Leone in 1990's.
Solomon Vandy's (Djimon Hounsou) village and family are violently attacked by a group of rebel
soldiers. Solomon, a fisherman, is captured after helping his wife and children flee from the rebels.
While being made to dig for diamonds by the rebels, he comes across a large pink stone and decides
to keep it for himself. He tries to burying it but is caught by a guard but before he can give it to him,
government soldiers invade the camp and takes everyone prisoners. Soldier of fortune Danny Archer
(Leonardo DiCaprio) has been jailed for losing a shipment destined for the corrupt Colonel Coetzee
(Arnold Vosloo). While in prison, Danny hears of this stone and sees it as his ticket out of Africa and
arranges for Solomon's release. Danny's only hope of finding the diamond is to help Solomon locate the
refugee camp to where his family has been taken. Danny partners up with Maddy Bowen (Jennifer
Connelly) in hopes that she will help him locate Solomon's family but he must help her with her story
about the corrupt diamond cartel in London. Danny and Solomon begin their dangerous journey in
search of the diamond and Solomon's son, who has been brainwashed by the rebels and turned into a
child soldier, while trying to avoid the rebels and the Colonel Coetzee and his men. As socially relevant
and compelling the story is, it's DiCaprio and Hounsou's acting that makes this picture soar. Sure to
gather some nominations at award time.
Blood Diamond, directed by Edward Zwick takes place in Africa's war-torn Sierra Leone in 1990's.
Solomon Vandy's (Djimon Hounsou) village and family are violently attacked by a group of rebel
soldiers. Solomon, a fisherman, is captured after helping his wife and children flee from the rebels.
While being made to dig for diamonds by the rebels, he comes across a large pink stone and decides
to keep it for himself. He tries to burying it but is caught by a guard but before he can give it to him,
government soldiers invade the camp and takes everyone prisoners. Soldier of fortune Danny Archer
(Leonardo DiCaprio) has been jailed for losing a shipment destined for the corrupt Colonel Coetzee
(Arnold Vosloo). While in prison, Danny hears of this stone and sees it as his ticket out of Africa and
arranges for Solomon's release. Danny's only hope of finding the diamond is to help Solomon locate the
refugee camp to where his family has been taken. Danny partners up with Maddy Bowen (Jennifer
Connelly) in hopes that she will help him locate Solomon's family but he must help her with her story
about the corrupt diamond cartel in London. Danny and Solomon begin their dangerous journey in
search of the diamond and Solomon's son, who has been brainwashed by the rebels and turned into a
child soldier, while trying to avoid the rebels and the Colonel Coetzee and his men. As socially relevant
and compelling the story is, it's DiCaprio and Hounsou's acting that makes this picture soar. Sure to
gather some nominations at award time.
