Product Details

• Actors: Charlton Heston, Yvette Mimieux, George Chakiris, France Nuyen, James Darren
• Directors: Guy Green
• Writers: Marguerite Roberts, Peter Gilman
• Producers: Jerry Bresler
• Format: Color, NTSC
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Sony Pictures
• VHS Release Date: May 16, 2000
• Run Time: 107 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6302843790
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #220,558 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Charlton Heston stars as ruthless "King" Howland, the head of an agricultural dynasty, in Diamond Head--a torrid tale of passion and prejudice set in steamy Hawaii. An outspoken hardheaded man, Howland sets out to halt the marriage of his beautiful young sister, Sloan (Yvette Mimieux), to Hawaiian boy Paul Kahana (James Darren). Even though Howland is having a secret love affair with the lovely Hawaiian Mei Chen (France Nuyen), he loathes the idea of a "native boy" joining his family. After a violent confrontation ends in Paul's death, a devastated Sloan realizes that she's in love with Paul's brother, Dean (George Chakiris), and once again, Howland faces the prospect of an unwanted alliance. When tragedy strikes again, Howland is forced to either change his beliefs or watch his dynasty disintegrate.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

54 of 62 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A bit too much melodrama , but I love films about Hawaii, February 19, 2002

By 

Linda Linguvic (New York City) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Diamond Head [VHS] (VHS Tape)

This 1962 film is set in Hawaii and, considering that it had just become a state a mere three years before, certainly captured the public's imagination and interest. Charlton Heston is cast as a wealthy widower whose sister, Yvette Mimieux, is in love with a Polynesian, played by James Darren. He vehemently objects to the marriage on racial grounds, but has no problem having his own little inter-racial affair with France Nuyen. Complications arise, especially when Nuyen becomes pregnant. There is a violent incident when the future bridegroom is murdered, and his doctor brother, George Chakiris, gets into a romance with Yvette Mimieux. The whole film is about racial intolerance and it sends a strong message, which kept the story interesting. The acting was good and Yvette Mimieux, then 20 years old, was a pleasure to look at. The setting was beautiful too; I can never get tired of looking at films set in Hawaii.

However, there was just a bit too much melodrama for my taste and although the story moved fast and was well plotted, I never felt any real emotion for the characters. And, as in the 60s, most of the people who were supposed to be Polynesian were really Caucasian actors with darkened skin, thereby losing authenticity. Usually, this kind of casting makes me angry, but this time I just relaxed and enjoyed the video, which was pleasant, dealt with a controversial theme, and was easy to follow. But we can't expect all movies to be works of art. Therefore, despite its faults, I give this film a lightweight recommendation.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Tropical Tantrums, September 6, 2005

By 

K. C. M. Rawlings "Cleopatra's Classics" (Canberra , Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Diamond Head (DVD)

I have always enjoyed this movie. Set in glorious Hawaii, Charlton Heston is his usual best with a great support cast. This movie lived up to my memory of first seeing it years ago. It mixes the underlying tension in Hawaii at that time, with the explosive forbidden love tangle. A very pleasant film in many ways with exquisite scenery, good acting, set in a great era and has nice closure. A must for Heston fans.

35 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars For Fans of Charlton Heston Only, July 2, 2000

By 

Reginald D. Garrard "the G-man" (Camilla, GA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Diamond Head [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Contemporary audiences may only know Charlton Heston from his vehement NRA sponsorship and his occasional cameo roles in big budget films and commmercials, but at one time, he was a BIG MAN in film. Fresh from his role in "Ben-Hur, the film has him playing a domineering and self-serving plantation owner who makes life "hell" for his young sister played by Yvette Mimieux. Filmed three years or so after the admission of Hawaii into the Union, the film carefully treads the tense waters that exist between haole and native Hawaiians. Mimieux's character is romantically involved with James Darren's Paul Kahanna, a "native" boy. The relationsip is frowned on by the hypocrital Heston who himself is having a "back street" affair with France Nuyen. George Chakiris, as Darren's successful doctor brother, provides support for Mimieux after a fatal occurance.

As far as political correctness is concerned, the film is hopelessly flawed with the choice of actors playing the respective Hawaiians. Darren, an alumnus of so many teen movies, does a credible job, but, not once, is believed to be Hawaiian. Chakiris, who had previously won an Academy Award for playing a Puerto Rican in "West Side Story" fares even less. Mimieux is adequate in the typical 60's sex kitten role. Heston is basically playing his typical larger than-life self as "King" Howland.

The film is entertaining and noteworthy as an early exercise in focusing on race relations. For that reason, it gets a recommendation. Heston fans, of which I am one, will probably like it.

One highlight is the powerful score done by a young John Williams. As Heston rides a horse over the opening credits, the music is majestic and worthy of the scope and expanse of the plantation, and hints at the story to follow.