RottenTomatoes.com
Log In | Register | What is RT?
Found a Bug? Squash It! Report Bugs Here
  • Home
  • Movies
  • DVD
  • Celebrities
  • News
  • Critics
  • Trailers & Pictures
  • CommunityBeta
  • Box Office
  • | Best Of
  • | Certified Fresh
  • | Showtimes
RT Search Powered by Google
help icon Enhanced RT
searches on Google
Click here to turn on enhanced search results from RT on your Google searches.
 
Movies / On DVD / Blood Diamond
Blood Diamond

Rate this Movie Help Icon

  • Write a Review
  • Read Reviews
  • Add to List
  • Buy Poster External Icon
  • Visit Official Site External Icon
Bookmark and Share

Blood Diamond (2006)

  • T-Meter Critics
  • Top Critics
  • RT Community
  • My Critics
  • My Friends
  • DVD
62 %
Tomatometer
Template ImageTemplate Image

How does the Tomatometer work Help Icon

Reviews Counted:204

Fresh:127

Rotten:77

Average Rating:6.3/10

Consensus: Blood Diamond overcomes poor storytelling with its biting commentary and fine performances.

Rated: 15 [See Full Rating] for strong violence and language

Runtime: 2 hrs 23 mins

Genre: Dramas

Theatrical Release:26-01-2007

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... 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. 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. Directed by Edward Zwick, the action drama "Blood Diamond" stars Academy Award nominee Leonardo DiCaprio ("The Aviator"), Academy Award winner Jennifer Connelly ("A Beautiful Mind") and Academy Award nominee Djimon Hounsou ("In America"). The screenplay was written by Charles Leavitt, from a story by Leavitt and C. Gaby Mitchell. Warner Bros. Pictures presents, in association with Virtual Studios, "Blood Diamond," a Spring Creek / Bedford Falls production, in association with Initial Entertainment Group, released by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company. "Blood Diamond" is produced by Paula Weinstein, Edward Zwick, Marshall Herskovitz, Graham King and Gillian Gorfil. The executive producers are Len Amato, Kevin De La Noy and Benjamin Waisbren. The film also stars Michael Sheen, Arnold Vosloo, David Harewood, Basil Wallace and introduces Kagiso Kuypers as Dia. Collaborating with Zwick behind the scenes were director of photography Eduardo Serra, production designer Dan Weil, costume designer Ngila Dickson, and editor Steven Rosenblum. James Newton Howard composed the score. This film has been rated "R" by the MPAA for "strong violence and language" "Blood Diamond" opens nationwide on December 8, 2006, and will be released by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company. -- © Warner Bros. [More]

Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Connelly, Djimon Hounsou, Stephen Collins

Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Connelly, Djimon Hounsou, Stephen Collins, Jimi Mistry, Ato Essandoh, Michael Sheen, Basil Wallace, Kasigo Kuypers, Arnold Vosloo, Marius Weyers

Director: Edward Zwick

Director: Edward Zwick
Producer: Gillian Gorfil, Marshall Herskovitz, Graham King
Composer: James Newton Howard
Studio: Warner Bros.

[See More Credits]

  • Trailers
  • Pictures
  • Exclusive Clip: This Will Be A Paradise
    >
    >
    Interview
    >
    Interview
    >
  • Interview
    >
1 - 4 of 5

See More Movie Trailers & Pictures

Reviews for Blood Diamond

  • T-Meter Critics
  • Top Critics
  • RT Community
  • My Critics
  • My Friends
  • DVD
 
 
81 - 100 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | |< << 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 >> >|
Arrange By:Fresh | Rotten | Comments | Name | Source | Date
 
 

The movie doesn't know when to quit.

Full Review Source: Window to the Movies | comment Comment
12/10/06
Jeffrey Chen
Jeffrey Chen
Window to the Movies

There's enough soul in DiCaprio's strong 'Blood Diamond' performance to make us believe his character is a much better man than he thinks he is.

Full Review Source: ReelTalk Movie Reviews | comment Comment
12/10/06
Betty Jo Tucker
Betty Jo Tucker
ReelTalk Movie Reviews

Blood Diamond presents itself as an action thriller but the genre trappings can't hide the fact that Zwick wants to teach audiences another history lesson and lecture them on political correctness.

Full Review Source: KPBS.org | comment 3 Comments
12/10/06
Beth Accomando
Beth Accomando
KPBS.org

It all feels like Hollywood pathos... It's the sign of a filmmaker that doesn't really have anything to say, so he just shows some tragedy and lets his actors cry about it.

Full Review Source: Can Magazine | comment Comment
12/09/06
Fred Topel
Fred Topel
Can Magazine

While I love the underlying message, the delivery is way too preachy.

Full Review Source: Beaumont Journal | comment Comment
12/09/06
Danny Minton
Danny Minton
Beaumont Journal

BLOOD DIAMOND would have fared better if it pontificated less, and accented story more. That's the problem with most statement films; they lose their story in the message.

Full Review Source: Outtakes With Fiore | comment Comment
12/09/06
Fiore Mastracci
Fiore Mastracci
Outtakes With Fiore

It succeeds well at what it sets out to do: wrapping a worthy message in a compelling story.

Full Review Source: Seattle Times | comment Comment
12/08/06
Moira MacDonald
Moira MacDonald
Seattle Times

[Director Zwick] is craftsman enough that the pace never slackens, the chase scenes thrill, and the battle scenes sicken. And if it makes viewers think twice about buying their sweethearts that hard-won hunk of ice for Christmas, so much the better.

Full Review Source: Slate | comment Comment
12/08/06
Dana Stevens
Dana Stevens
Slate

Blood Diamond strives to be an "important" film while stopping well short of being genuinely provocative and artistically chancy.

Full Review Source: AV Club | comment Comment
12/08/06
Scott Tobias
Scott Tobias
AV Club

Rather than merely toil in action theatrics, Zwick has consistently explored the interstices of war and honor, and the way in which sense of duty is often warped.

Full Review Source: FilmStew.com | comment Comment
12/08/06
Brent Simon
Brent Simon
FilmStew.com

Whether or not viewers heed the moral of Zwick's film, they should be wowed by his adventure story.

Full Review Source: Reno Gazette-Journal | comment Comment
12/08/06
Forrest Hartman
Forrest Hartman
Reno Gazette-Journal

The early portions... especially the scenes of little boys being brainwashed and bullied by their RUF captors, are harrowing... Unfortunately, the story's power diminishes as the film goes on.

Full Review Source: Kalamazoo Gazette | comment Comment
12/08/06
James Sanford
James Sanford
Kalamazoo Gazette

Blood Diamond maintains a certain level of intensity that will certainly stir the soul and perhaps inspire activism. But unfortunately, it also tries a little too hard to convey its message about global conflict.

Full Review Source: Hollywood.com | comment 2 Comments
12/08/06
Kit Bowen
Kit Bowen
Hollywood.com

Best propaganda flick of the decade.

Full Review Source: Greenwich Village Gazette | comment Comment
12/08/06
Eric Lurio
Eric Lurio
Greenwich Village Gazette

Thanks to Mr. DiCaprio's raffishly dashing soldier of fortune, the movie is worth watching.

Full Review Source: Wall Street Journal | comment Comment
12/08/06
Joe Morgenstern
Joe Morgenstern
Wall Street Journal

Zwick and screenwriter Charles Leavitt are torn between the competing masters of popular entertainment and education, and they wind up serving neither well.

Full Review Source: TV Guide's Movie Guide | comment Comment
12/08/06
Maitland McDonagh
Maitland McDonagh
TV Guide's Movie Guide

Blood Diamond is redeemed by its solid performances. Chiefly from DiCaprio, who is having a great year, and Hounsou, who is dignity incarnate.

Full Review Source: Toronto Star | comment Comment
12/08/06
Peter Howell
Peter Howell
Toronto Star

Some might argue that the Connelly role serves as the film's conscience. That may have been the intent, but as with a lot of things intended with Blood Diamond, the audience isn't made to feel it.

Full Review Source: San Francisco Chronicle | comment Comment
12/08/06
Mick LaSalle
Mick LaSalle
San Francisco Chronicle

Director Edward Zwick, whose movies tend to preen, swell and stretch, pushes lengths past the obvious emotional closure and moral payoff.

Full Review Source: San Diego Union-Tribune | comment Comment
12/08/06
David Elliott
David Elliott
San Diego Union-Tribune

Blood Diamond takes its title from jewels sold to fund murder and mayhem in conflict zones. Yet it's not a message movie but an old-fashioned, entertaining action adventure that contains messages.

Full Review Source: Sacramento Bee | comment Comment
12/08/06
Carla Meyer
Carla Meyer
Sacramento Bee
 
 
81 - 100 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | |< << 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 >> >|
all

Latest News for Blood Diamond

March 04, 2008: Rush Hour 3 Takes '07 DVD Rental Crown
It may not have been quite the box-office phenomenon that its predecessors were -- and critics may have disliked it enough to keep it down at 20 percent on the Tomatometer --... More...

December 06, 2007: Box Office Guru Preview: Golden Compass Sets Course For #1 Debut
New Line hopes to breathe some life into the North American box office with the launch of its pricey adventure film The Golden Compass which stands as the frame's only new wide... More...

February 22, 2007: Oscar Night Approaches; Who Will Win? Our Predictions Inside!
There's two ways to predict the Oscars: (1) dissect the awards buzz, attempting to get a feel for the fickle machinations of the Academy voter. Or (2) use your powers of geek... More...

January 15, 2007: The Golden Globes Are Here, And They're Spectacular...Wins for Mirren, Whitaker, "Dreamgirls" and "Babel"
Sound the alarms! Tonight's telecast (8pm EST) of the 64th Annual Golden Globes Awards signaled the real start of Oscar mania, so check out our list of winners...and weigh in... More...

See All

More DVDs

Top Rentals
Tomatometer Percentage Movie
14% 14% The Ugly Truth
98% 98% Up
36% 36% G.I. Joe: The Rise of …
52% 52% The Taking of Pelham 1…
45% 45% Ice Age: Dawn of the D…

More Rentals…

New On DVD This Week
Tomatometer Percentage Movie
32% 32% Terminator Salvation
44% 44% Night at the Museum: B…
86% 86% A Christmas Tale
60% 60% Paper Heart

More New Releases…

What’s Hot On RT

Twilight Saga: Eclipse

Twilight Saga: Eclipse

5 facts straight from the cast.

Disney Animation

Disney Animation

We chart the studio's classics.

Avatar

Avatar

An exclusive look at the human hardware.

Eric Bana

Eric Bana

The Star Trek star talks cars with RT.

Other News

  • Top Stories
  • Popular
  • Interviews
 
 

Comments

 
 
Top Stories
Headlines Comments
  
  • No Hobbit Until 2012? Source: The Wrap
19
  • Don't Hold Your Breath for Hancock 2 Source: HitFix
38
  • Peter Berg Talks Battleship Source: CHUD
2
  • Summit Ponders Twilight Finale Source: Variety
153
  • First Look at Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Source: USA Today
56
  • Jeremy Renner Talks Hawkeye Possibilities Source: Superhero Hype
14
  • Todd Phillips Talks The Hangover 2 Source: Entertainment Weekly
18
  • Tron Legacy Duo Heading into The Black Hole Source: Hollywood Reporter
9
  • First Iron Man 2 Poster Released Source: Yahoo! Movies
80
  • Ryan Reynolds Talks Green Lantern Source: MTV
16
Popular
Headlines Comments
  
  • Ban Them All! 10 Infamously Controversial Movies
99
  • Friday Harvest: The Road, Avatar, and more!
96
  • 5 Facts About The Twilight Saga: Eclipse
91
  • Total Recall: Natalie Portman's Best Movies
45
  • Box Office Guru Wrapup: Vampires and Football Break Thanksgiving Records
38
  • Five Favorite Films with Jesse Ventura
32
  • Weekly Ketchup: Zombieland 2 in 3D?
28
  • RT on DVD & Blu-Ray: Terminator Salvation and a Smithsonian Battle
20
  • Duncan Jones Reteams With Kevin Spacey
5
  • Awards Tour: Annie Nominations, Up and Coraline lead
4
Interviews
Headlines Comments
  
  • "I Don't Hate Women": Lars von Trier on Antichrist
17
  • Eric Bana talks Love the Beast - RT Interview
11
  • Fight Club Sound Designer Reflects on Film's 10th Anniversary
21
  • James Schamus talks Taking Woodstock - RT Interview
8
  • John Hurt Talks Harry Potter, Quentin Crisp and Alien - The RT Interview
15
  • Terry Gilliam Talks Doctor Parnassus
22
  • Wes Anderson Talks Fantastic Mr. Fox - RT Interview
9
  • Wolverine Creator Len Wein Talks About the Film
28
  • Gavin Hood Talks Wolverine; Possible Sequel
28
  • Duncan Jones talks Moon, Sam Rockwell, and Mute
14
 
 

Sponsored Links

Around The Network

  • Blood Diamond at Rotten Tomatoes
  • Blood Diamond at IGN
  • Blood Diamond at AskMen

Fresh Links

Featured
RT on YouTube
RT on YouTube External Link

Subscribe to RT's YouTube channel and don't miss a second of our cracking video content.

RT on Twitter
RT on Twitter External Link

Follow Rotten Tomatoes and join us as we tweet about the week's releases.

 
 
About| Site Map| Help| RT To Go| Contact Us| Critics Submission| Linking to RT| Licensing| Movie List| Celebs List| Newsletter
IGN Logo

IGN.com | GameSpy | Comrade | Arena | FilePlanet | GameSpy Technology
TeamXbox | Planets | Vaults | VE3D | CheatsCodesGuides | GameStats | GamerMetrics
AskMen.com | Rotten Tomatoes | Direct2Drive | Green Pixels


By continuing past this page, and by the continued use of this site, you agree to be bound by and abide by the User Agreement.
Copyright 1998-2009, IGN Entertainment, Inc. About IGN | Support | Advertise | Privacy Policy | User Agreement | Subscribe to RT's XML feed! IGN RSS Feeds
IGN's enterprise databases running Oracle, SQL and MySQL are professionally monitored and managed by Pythian Remote DBA
Certain product data ©1995-present Muze, Inc. For personal use only. All rights reserved.