Blood Diamond

4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (400 customer reviews)
Directed by Edward Zwick (Glory, The Last Samurai) this urgent, intensely moving adventure shapes gripping human stories and heart-pounding action into a modern epic of profound impact.
  • Starring: Leonardo Dicaprio, Jennifer Connelly
  • Directed by: Edward Zwick
  • Runtime: 2 hours 24 minutes
  • Release year: 2006
  • Studio: Warner Bros.
Play trailer
 
 
 
 

48 hour rental

1-Click® $2.99

Buy movie

1-Click® $9.99

Learn more about renting and buying

 
 
 
 
 
 
[Send us Feedback]
Have a promotion code? View Balance
New to Amazon Instant Video? Watch your videos on the Kindle Fire HD and hundreds of other devices. See how to watch on your computer, tablet, phone and TV.

Enjoy Unlimited Streaming with Prime Instant Video: Stream over 30,000 movies and TV episodes on virtually any TV with compatible streaming devices starting under $100. Shop now.

Buy the Blu-ray and get the Amazon Instant Video Rental See Details
Blood Diamond [Blu-ray]
Price: $9.42 - Includes the Amazon Instant Video 48 hour rental as a gift with purchase. Available to US Customers Only.
> See additional offers

Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought


Product Details
Synopsis: Directed by Edward Zwick (Glory, The Last Samurai) this urgent, intensely moving adventure shapes gripping human stories and heart-pounding action into a modern epic of profound impact.
Starring: Leonardo Dicaprio, Jennifer Connelly
Supporting actors: Djimon Hounsou, Michael Sheen, Arnold Vosloo
Directed by: Edward Zwick
Genre: Adventure, Drama, Thriller
Runtime: 2 hours 24 minutes
Captions and Subtitles: Details
Release year: 2006
Studio: Warner Bros.
MPAA Rating: Rated R for strong violence and language
ASIN: B000OLRH10 (Rental) and B000OLRH1A (Purchase)
Rights & Requirements
Rental rights: 48 hour viewing period Details
Purchase rights: Stream instantly and download to 2 locations. Details
Format: Amazon Instant Video (streaming online video and digital download)

Other Formats and Versions


Theatrical Release Information
  • US Theatrical Release Date: December 08, 2006
  • MPAA: Rated R for strong violence and language
  • Production Company: Warner Bros, Virtual Studios, Spring Creek Productions, Bedford Falls Productions, Initial Entertainment Group (IEG)
  • USA Box Office: $ 57 Million
  • Worldwide Box Office: $ 156 Million
  • Filming Locations: Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa | Goba, Mozambique | KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa | London, England, UK | Maputo, Mozambique

Customers Who Viewed This Item Also Viewed


Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews
129 of 144 people found the following review helpful
Amazon Verified Purchase
MOVIE: Edward Zwick's films always strike a good chord with me because of their incredible emotional impact. The Last Samurai left such a grand impact on me that I was in tears at its incredible and emotional climax. The Blood Diamond does the same thing by establishing strong central characters with a clear objective that makes the film gripping and tense. The story revolves around Solomon Vandy (Djimon Hounsou) a local fisherman whose village is raided by local militia who are at civil war over the control over the diamond fields. These events took place in the late 90's and it serves as the backdrop of the film. Danny Archer (Leonardo DiCaprio) is a Rhodesian smuggler who works for a corporate diamond company in London he also works as a mercenary. He smuggles diamonds to the corporations so that they can remove them off of the market thus keeping supply low and demand high, that way they spike the prices. After Vendi is removed from his village and his family separated, he is put to work in the diamond fields where he comes across a pink diamond so rare that it could change the fate of not only his life but a nation's. Vandy is able to escape his imprisonment by the rebels but is put in prison by the police, and in prison he meets Danny Archer who now wants to set his sights on the hidden diamond. When Archer meets Maddy Bowen (Jennifer Connelly), an American journalist, she believes that his story holds the key to revealing the truth behind the diamond corporations. When Vandy's son is recruited by the rebels he sets out on a quest to find his son while Archer wants the diamond so that he can leave Africa and start his troubled life over. Arnold Vosloo plays a general who is also after the diamond. So we have four people after one small stone for four different reasons.

The film has many sides to it. At times it's a dark look into the social and economical conflicts of Africa, sometimes it becomes a burning commentary on the nature of man, but overall this film is an intimate story of three characters placed within the setting. The main objective of the film is to tell the story of the characters where as in films like Tears Of The Sun or Black Hawk Down it's more about sending a central message. I'm not saying the latter films are bad, I enjoyed Tears Of The Suns and Black Hawk Down immensely. I'm also not saying that Blood Diamond is not trying to send a central message either. It's just that Blood Diamond really tries to tell a story, just like Zwick did with The Last Samurai. While the film portrayed a civil struggle in Japan it was more focused on Tom Cruise's and Ken Watanabe's characters so that when tragedy struck it had a strong emotional impact on the audience. Blood Diamond is not only emotional but it's incredibly tense and thrilling. There is lots of action in the film and the final air raid was executed perfectly. The story is solid and the film is an immense accomplishment. The reason why I knocked off half a star from my final rating was that I had two minor problems with the movie. There were places where a few tweaks could have heightened the emotional impact of the film and have kept the pace of the film more consistent. However, it is whithout a doubt that the film was superbly edited. The pace and structure were very consistant and strong. I was pleased by the script, Charles Leavitt did a fine job with the screenplay even though he has taken a long break from writing since his last effort with K-Pax. The second thing that bothered me was that once the movie ends and the credits start to roll we are hit with this hardcore rap song. I was absolutely shocked and disapointed with the decision to use rap in the end credits, it ruined the lasting effect of the film within a split second.

The film also displays some incredible artistic efforts. The cinematography is absolutely stunning. There is a very good chance that Eduardo Serra should be one of the directors of photography nominated this year at the Oscars. Some of the shots were truly breathtaking and of course you have to give credit to beautiful landscapes of Africa. The film's score was composed by James Newton Howard who relied heavily on African vocals for the amazing score. I have to mention here that Hans Zimmer is the pioneer of incorporating native sounds into a film's score based on location. Zimmer made African vocals his speciality with films like A World Apart, The Power Of One, The Lion King, and Tears Of The Sun. You have to acknowledge the Zimmer style in the score, but James Newton Howard makes it completely his own and delivers an amazing score. There were scenes where I wished the score was more prominent, but overall I was very happy with the musical efforts. All of the artistic efforts put together with the story make Blood Diamond what it is.

ACTING: Does Leonardo DiCaprio give his best performance yet? In my opinion I really think so. He was amazing in the film and created a perfectly accessible character that we cared for. Many people are criticizing his accent when in fact he is using an extremely authentic Rhodesian accent. People assume that since he is white and an African he must be South African. That's not the case here, people. DiCaprio does an amazing job with the role. Djimon Hounsou is also equally amazing in the film. There are a few intimate scenes with his son that will bring you to tears. He plays an uneducated fisherman with his only interests in his family, but it is his character that shows the good of mankind in the middle of this mess. Jennifer Connelly is a great actress and she portrays a journalist just as a journalist would act. She uses her wits and looks to get the story, but her priorities are not to make headlines but rather to help change the world for the better. Arnold Vosloo has a small role in the film, but I like him and think he's an underrated actor. People will recognize him from The Mummy films and his guest role on the show 24. The acting in this film is superb, the characters all carry the film and make it something to remember.

BOTTOM LINE: Blood Diamond is gripping, thrilling and emotional. I shed some tears when I saw The Last Samurai and I indeed shed some tears when I saw Blood Diamond. It's an action film with so much substance, it really pulls you in as an audience member. The few structural problems and the rap song at the end credits are not enough for me not to highly recomend this film.
Was this review helpful to you?
25 of 27 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I am going to keep this review relevant to the movie and the reasons why you should buy this on DVD:

1. Leonardo DiCaprio's Performance: This film in my opinion features the best ever performance extracted from Leonardo DiCaprio on film. He is flawless here as a South Africa white who needs to discover whether material wealth means more to him than human emotion and sentiment. I have never been a huge fan of Leo (though yes, he was wonderful in "What's Eating Gilbert Grape" and "The Beach") but this film alongwith "The Departed" really opened my eyes. Granted he is a physically splendid creation, but his use of language, intonation and emotion were at the forefront of this movie, and the only downside to his performance is that it totally overshadowed the other actors.

2. Djimon Hounsou's performance : This was an actor I first noticed in "Amistad" and he just keeps getting better and better. He is one actor who looks about 25 even though hes well past 40, and has an incredible range. His role as a traumatized father looking for his son in the middle of riot torn Africa will be remembered years to come, however, he is not as radiant as Leonardo here, and for that reason alone I think he is thought of as a "supporting actor" here. If you pay attention, you will actually see that he gets MORE screen time than Leo.

3. Jennifer Connelly : I think she is one of the most ill-utilized actresses we have today, and the director doesn't do much with her here either, which is a pity. However, her role is quite effective for what it is - the downside being that she has zero chemistry with Leo in every regard.

4. Cinematography : The effect here was to present Africa as a beautiful nation though ridden with political problems and woes. To see these violent images portrayed against a backdrop of the most gorgeous sunsets and tropical rainforests was a bit bizarre - which I suppose was the effect. The visuals are lush and evocative, and captures the mood of the era and environment perfectly.

5. Direction & Story : The director knew a good thing when he saw it. This is a very character driven story and you have to FEEL for the characters' emotions if you want to get anywhere. On the surface, its a simple tale thats been told a million different ways, but the political statements this movie makes is way ahead of its' time, I thought (much like the Angelina Jolie starrer "Beyond Borders" which was a masterpiece in its' own right).

It goes without saying that Leonardo DiCaprio carries this film on his capable shoulders and takes you through almost three gripping hours of it without making you look at your watch. This is what real acting and filmmaking is all about. If you do decide to buy this, let Leo be your number one reason.

To wrap it up, this is a must have 2-DVD Edition of the film - and I can state that this is one movie you will be watching over and over. I saw this just after "The Departed", which is the only other movie this year I could possibly watch again. These two films finally signal the true emergence of America's greatest living actor - Leonardo DiCaprio.
Was this review helpful to you?
90 of 108 people found the following review helpful
As we reach the end of any calendar year, the major studios roll out their big guns--the films they think have the best chance of grabbing Oscar gold. These tend to be big budget affairs, with big stars, and often with serious or important themes. Well, "Blood Diamond" arrives with just such expectations. A well meaning and "important" film about exploitation and atrocities in Sierra Leone's diamond trade, "Blood Diamond" casts Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Connelly, and Djimon Hounsou as the central characters in an exciting, and sometimes heartbreaking, look at the cost of commercialism in international trading.

Edward Zwick (who has courted Oscar before with "Glory" and "The Last Samurai") sets a very serious tone from the beginning--it seems clear that this film wants to parlay a message, to expose the injustices done in the name of Western greed. The setup covers extremely familiar territory and the message is blunt and obvious. No one, at this point, will deny that what is depicted here is harrowing--the problem is that it isn't particularly surprising or edifying. He's preaching to the choir. A lot of films have broken this ground before to astonishing affect, "Blood Diamond" as a message movie lacks a certain amount of originality and subtlety. That doesn't make it a bad movie, by any stretch, but I wasn't enlightened by the subject matter.

But the curious thing about "Blood Diamond," though, is just as I was tempted to dismiss it as a heavy-handed drama--I got wrapped up in it. Why? Well, it's a heck of an action picture and it boasts terrific performances. DiCaprio plays a rogue, ethically challenged, illegal diamond trader who is looking to make a big score. Hounsou, who has lost his son to the rebels, has hidden an invaluable diamond which he hopes to leverage to bring his family back together. And Connelly is an American journalist who wants to expose the corruption inherent in the trafficking of diamonds. All three are at the top of their game. Hounsou is absolutely riveting in an emotional powerhouse of a performance. DiCaprio acquits himself well with a Rhodesian accent and displays many layers to the morally questionable anti-hero.

The film is technically impressive--the cinematography and score earn high marks. But it's the brutal and compelling action sequences that will stick with you. There is much violence to be had in "Blood Diamond," much death and bloodshed. Our trio constantly find themselves on the wrong side of a gun fight or even worse--trapped between rebels warring with soldiers. Theses scenes are done with such precision, such excitement, and such realism--you almost forget that the film wants to teach you a lesson too. I almost wish that Zwick would have just trusted a simpler story and let us draw our own moral conclusions.

Ultimately, I really admired "Blood Diamond"--it has the power to excite you and move you. Far from a perfect film, it is eminently watchable. The tidy ending was a bit over-the-top for my taste, as well, but by then I'd really enjoyed the journey. A solid 3 1/2 star rating, I'm rounding up for the action set pieces. KGHarris, 12/06.
Was this review helpful to you?
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars 2nd Time Around
My two brothers and I shared this video and wore it out. Now we are sharing the new DVD 2nd time around.
Published 3 hours ago by CT Buyer
5.0 out of 5 stars fantastic Decipario flick
the movie is no play thing or easy to watch sleeper,this puppy keeps your blood pumping from the get go and is quite a testament to a rotten situation occurring in many undeveloped... Read more
Published 1 day ago by PM Blues
4.0 out of 5 stars Leo at his best!
The film that made me finally appreciate Leo as an actor and even look back upon his previous films and appreciate his immense talent. Read more
Published 1 day ago by Matthew Brown
4.0 out of 5 stars Blood Diamond
good movie well written good acting, if this is what happens because of the diamond trade it needs to stop
Published 4 days ago by Gary Hogan
5.0 out of 5 stars great.
Leonardo give a performance i originally never expected from him. thats why i loved this movie. also pointent information contained within.
Published 10 days ago by Michael Loptien
5.0 out of 5 stars Wow
This is a true eye opener for me. Diamonds.... Wow.. I don't think that I will ever look at them the same again. Read more
Published 15 days ago by J&A
5.0 out of 5 stars Seen it many times
One of the best movies ever made. My old copy would not play, and this one does. Still love my HDDVD player, and wish it would have beat bluray. HDDVD was a much better format.
Published 27 days ago by Dale T. Morse
1.0 out of 5 stars Don't get this!
The format of this disc can only be played on select Toshiba devices so if you are using anything else this is worthless!
Published 1 month ago by Alex
5.0 out of 5 stars The love of diamonds...
This, could be, the way some diamonds reach the world markets, I remember all the news of brutal human stories back in the 80's and 90's, more likely, way before that, in countries... Read more
Published 1 month ago by h2o
5.0 out of 5 stars A Diamond Polished with Blood
This account by Edward Zwick leaves a profound impact. Realistically, there cannot be a stop to the Blood Diamonds or to the torture and human slavery that has become entrenched in... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Tahseen Nakavi
Search Customer Reviews
Only search this product's reviews

Production Stills
  • Production Stills:

Forums

Search Customer Discussions
Search all Amazon discussions

Topic From this Discussion
Fullscreen or Widescreen Be the first to reply
7.1 or 5.1 sound on this movie
I'm having some hizing/sharp noise from my surround speakers while playing this movie ( scene where they chop hands), I don't know what to do.
Feb 22, 2009 by Mende Mui |  See all 2 posts
Realmente cautivante y lleno de expectativas Be the first to reply
French version
i wish i had an answer for you
Jun 3, 2007 by S. Diaz |  See all 2 posts
French version ! Be the first to reply
anybody knows the release date for the HD DVD?
I was wondering the same. It was suppose to coinside with the SD release. No one seems to know what has happened. :(
Mar 11, 2007 by Darrin S. |  See all 8 posts
Start a new discussion
Topic:
First post:
Prompts for sign-in
 


By placing your order, you agree to our Terms of Use.  Sold by Amazon Digital Services, Inc.  Additional taxes may apply.