Set against the backdrop of civil war and chaos in 1990's Sierra Leone, Danny Archer, a South African mercenary, and Solomon Vandy, a Mende fisherman are joined in a common quest to recover a rare pink diamond that can transform their lives. While in prison for smuggling, Archer learns that Solomon--who was taken from his family and forced to work in the diamond fields--has found and hidden the extraordinary rough stone. With the help of Maddy Bowen, an American journalist whose idealism is tempered by a deepening connection with Archer, the two men embark on a trek through rebel territory--a journey that could save Solomon's family and give Archer the second chance he thought he would never have.

Edward Zwick

Director

Leonardo DiCaprio

Danny Archer

Solomon Vandy

Maddy Bowen

Colonel Coetzee

Simmons

Commander Rambo

Adetokumboh M'Cormack

R.U.F. Trainer

M'Ed

Benjamin Kapanay

Dia Vandy

Screenplay

Story By

Story By

Producer

Producer

Producer

Producer

Executive Producer

Producer

Executive Producer

Executive Producer

Associate Producer

Moonlighting South African Supervising Producer

Philip Key

Moonlighting South African Supervising Producer

PETER TRAVERS - December 8, 2006

Leonardo DiCaprio is coiled to spring as Danny Archer, a former mercenary from Zimbabwe, now in the business of smuggling conflict diamonds, so named because their sale is used to subsidize civil wars in Africa. Set in Sierra Leone in 1999, the film, crudely scripted by Charles Leavitt, links Danny with Solomon Vandy (Djimon Hounsou), a fisherman trying to save his family. Danny will help if Solomon leads him to a huge pink diamond he's hidden and gets rid of nosy journalist Maddy Bowen…

More Reviews from Rolling Stone »

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.

Story

Diamond is set against the backdrop of civil war and chaos in 1990s Sierra Leone, where we once again witness sheer, mindless brutality against innocent people. It doesn't much bother Danny Archer (Leonardo DiCaprio), though. As a South African mercenary, he has wheeled and dealed…