Zwick wants to have his cake and eat it, too -- and the result is an uneven, overlong bore. Call it Ramifying the Stone.
Blood Diamond (2006)
Tomatometer
How does the Tomatometer work ![]()
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.
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.
Reviews for Blood Diamond
A 'King Solomon's Mines' for the troubled consciences of a post-colonial age. (Is that why the lead African character is named Solomon?)
It all works well in a complex, riveting, and disturbing way. The film suffers only in pacing; it seems longer than it is.
Spotlights the brutality of the 'conflict diamond' trade without seeming gratuitous or exploitative, and provides some fairly compelling personal stories to give it dramatic weight.
The characters stop just short of speaking directly to the camera and scolding the audience.
I'll take Blood Diamond over Lethal Weapon 5 any day. Let's call it a flawed gem.
At least Zwick has given men everywhere an excuse for their ladies the next time they expect a bigger piece of jewelry than their friends.
The question is not whether Blood Diamond succeeds as a mature, politically-minded piece of entertainment but whether it should be an entertainment in the first place.
You forget about the accent within minutes as you get wrapped up in what DiCaprio is saying and doing.
This is the type of movie that used to star Pierce Brosnan (pre-James Bond) and be sent straight to video... Zwick has added nothing new except to make it longer.
It remains to be seen whether even a movie this powerful can change enough minds -- this one certainly is unsettling enough that it might have a chance.
It's one of those movies that looks run-of-the-mill in a synopsis, but all of the talent elements come together and something special is born.
Blood Diamond covers old ground but with a current twist as it deals with modern issues of terrorism, political upheaval and armed conflict.
On the one hand, no one with a conscience should buy a diamond unless he or she knows where it came from. On the other hand, should Zwick really be using a glorified action movie to scold us?
Blood Diamond is very much aware that these are problems beyond easy and convenient resolution, and it is hard not to appreciate any film that understands that.
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...
More DVDs
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 36% 36% | Angels & Demons |
| 25% 25% | Four Christmases |
| 68% 68% | Funny People |
| 95% 95% | Star Trek |
| 14% 14% | The Ugly Truth |
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 32% 32% | Terminator Salvation |
| 44% 44% | Night at the Museum: B… |
| 86% 86% | A Christmas Tale |
| 60% 60% | Paper Heart |
What’s Hot On RT
Other News
Sponsored Links
Around The Network
- Blood Diamond at Rotten Tomatoes
- Blood Diamond at IGN
- Blood Diamond at AskMen
Fresh Links
Featured

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

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



Top Critic

