6 Movies About Diamonds

Everyone loves diamonds. We love to read about them in books, and we love to watch movies about them too, whether it’s about stealing them, killing for them, marrying for them, or even giving them up for love.

Diamonds Are Forever (1971) – After extensive travels, James Bond (Agent 007) returns valiantly from South Africa having completed his mission to kill his arch enemy, Ernst Stavro Blofeld. However, Bond arrives only to discover that there’s a pressing case waiting for him: a large amount of diamonds has been stolen from the South African mines and two offbeat assassins are killing everyone in the smuggling ring, one-by-one. Bond goes undercover as Peter Franks, diamond smuggler, in search of recovering the merchandise. (http://movies.yahoo.com)

Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953) – Gentlemen may prefer blondes, but this blonde bombshell prefers diamonds, and lots of them! Glamorous showgirl Marilyn sets sail for France, intent on marrying a rich, yet boring, beau. But anything can – and does – happen with the beautiful and fun-loving Jane Russell acting as chaperone. From celebrated director Howard Hawks, this musical comedy classic features Marilyn’s signature rendition of the hit show tune “Diamonds Are A Girl’s Best Friend.”  (http://www.dvdmg.com)

A Fish Called Wanda (1988 ) – Wanda (Jamie Lee Curtis) brings her new secret lover, Otto (Kevin Kline) to England to help her and her lover George and stuttering animal lover Ken (Michael Palin) steal $20 million in diamonds. Wanda and Otto then turn in George to the police so they can have the loot for themselves, but George has already moved the diamonds and only he knows where they are. All four of the criminals start double-crossing each other to try to get to the diamonds before anyone else. Wanda tries to find them by “getting close” to George’s barrister, Archie Leach (John Cleese), because if George pleads guilty he will tell Archie where the diamonds are to cut his sentence. Absolute hilarity ensues. (http://www.imdb.com)

The Pink Panther (1964) –Arriving at an Italian ski resort with a large diamond known as the Pink Panther, Princess Dala (Claudia Cardinale) encounters the suave Sir Charles (Niven), who also happens to be the notorious jewel thief The Phantom. Can Clouseau (Sellers), the clumsiest inspector ever to trip over a case, stop Sir Charles’ plot…or will The Phantom steal the “cat” and leave Clouseau holding the bag? (http://www.foxstore.com)

To Catch a Thief (1955) – Cary Grant plays John Robie reformed jewel thief who was once known as “The Cat” in this suspenseful Alfred Hitchcock classic thriller. Robie is suspected of a new rash of gem thefts in the luxury hotels of the French Riviera and he must set out to clear himself. Meeting pampered heiress Frances (Grace Kelly) he sees a chance to bait the mysterious thief with her mother’s (Jessie Royce Landis) fabulous jewels. His plan backfires however but France who believes him guilty proves her love by helping him escape. In a spine-tingling climax the real criminal is exposed. (http://www.amazon.com)

Titanic (1997) –After winning a trip on the RMS Titanic during a dockside card game, American Jack Dawson spots the society girl Rose DeWitt Bukater who is on her way to Philadelphia to marry her rich snob fiance Cal Hockley. Rose feels helplessly trapped by her situation and makes her way to the aft deck and thinks of suicide until she is rescued by Jack. Cal is therefore obliged to invite Jack to dine at their first-class table where he suffers through the slights of his snobbish hosts. In return, he spirits Rose off to third class for an evening of dancing, giving her the time of her life. Deciding to forsake her intended future all together, Rose asks Jack, who has made his living making sketches on the streets of Paris, to draw her in the nude wearing the invaluable blue diamond Cal has given her. Cal finds out and has Jack locked away. Soon afterwards, the ship hits an iceberg and Rose must find Jack while both must run from Cal even as the ship sinks deeper into the freezing water.  (http://movies.yahoo.com)

Can you think of any other movies about diamonds? Tell us about them and be in the draw for a copy of Maxine Sullivan’s The Millionaire’s Seductive Revenge, plus a small koala stuffed animal toy.

50 Responses to “6 Movies About Diamonds”

  1. The only movie I can think of is “Blood Diamonds.” The movie is about the shady business of conflict diamonds in Sierra Leone. I can’t remember the whole movie, but I think it revolves around a pink diamond. Ah, the elusive pink diamond. I wonder if I’ll ever get to have my own.

  2. Jane, both Bron and Tessa also mentioned “Blood Diamond” when we were discussing this blog. Both said how authentic the movie felt, especially Tessa who comes from South Africa.

    Ah, the elusive pink diamond. I want one too. 🙂

  3. azteclady Says:

    Of course I’m blanking now… Except for King Solomon’s Mines (with Deborah Kerr and Stewart Granger)

    Who remembers the one where the main character has to steal a diamond from a museum by rappelling down from the ceiling?

  4. limecello Says:

    Heh – of course, my first thought was “Blood Diamond” -after all, I’ve mentioned it a few times in previous posts, so I had to do a search. One movie vaguely dealing with diamonds is “Madame de… ” – a French film from the 50s. Or “The Hot Rock” a comedy from the 70s. Or “Diamonds” another 70s flick. “The Diamond of Jeru” made in ’01, and “The Diamond Fleece” from ’92, all movies I’ve never seen :D.

  5. Wallace and Gromit’s “The Wrong Trousers”? 😉 Seriously, Feathers McGraw (penguin) did…

  6. marydavie Says:

    The Titanic is my favorite.

  7. Bronwyn Jameson Says:

    A Fish Called Wanda is one of my all-time favourite comedies. One of those where you know what’s coming and start laughing in anticipation and then it is just as funny as you remembered. Much hilarity, indeed.

    I’m trying to think of a romantic diamond movie but all I can come up with is Sweet Home Alabama. The proposal scene in Tiffany’s. Which isn’t the right hero, damn, but it’s still an amazing scene. I’d love to do something like that in a book — it’s SO Desire, but also so instantly recognisable as nicked from that movie. *sigh*

    Bron

    PS: also love Wallace and Gromit but diamonds? really??

  8. Bron – yep, Feathers McGraw was a jewel thief and pinched Wallace’s Techo-Trousers to get into the museum to get the diamond! I’m seen it like, a billion times 😉

  9. Yep, if you didn’t put Diamonds are Forever, that would have been my choice. . . but geez, I’m totally drawing a blank. Not many diamonds in Star Wars and Star Trek. LOL

    Oh wait. . . I got one, sort of. In the movie version of Phantom of the Opera, they focus on the ring that Raoul gives Christine and then the Phantom takes from her to give to her later. . . while it’s Swarovski crystals and not diamonds, it’s still the closest I have to the theme. 😉

    Lois

  10. Ah, Sweet Home Alabama. It doesn’t matter how often I watch that movie (and it is often) that scene always brings tears to my eyes. I just love it!

  11. Patricia Cochran Says:

    Hello, All,

    I’m really dating myself today! I actually saw three of the movies listed when they were
    first released in the 1950s!! Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, To Catch a Thief. and King
    Solomon’s Mines! Other diamond movies: Diamond Men, Die Another Day, and Death
    Is A Diamond.

    Pat Cochran

  12. Bron, I watched A Fish Called Wanda last weekend. I’ve seen if before but putting this blog item together made me think of it again so I had to watch it again. It’s a really funny movie. All the actors are wonderful but isn’t Kevin Kline brilliant as Otto? I mean, his character really makes the movie for me. Also, had to laugh at John Cleese’s wife. She was so full of herself and her own problems but she was pretty good at grilling Otto’s claim he worked for the CIA. 🙂

  13. I must go back and watch Sweet Home Alabama again. I liked it right up until the wedding when someone clobbered Candice Bergen in a slapstick fashion and it seemed so out of place that it spoiled it for me. I should give it another try and see if I feel the same.

    Hmm, can anyone think of certain scenes in movies that spoil the whole movie for you? I know that I really liked Four Weddings and a Funeral but I was so cheesed off with Andie MacDowell’s character. She’d turn up then leave then turn up again married and it wasn’t explained why. (Have they heard of motivation?) And the dialogue they gave her was inane. But I sort of forgave the makers of that movie because they then came up with Nottinghill which is one of my favourite movies. It has everything a good romance should have.

  14. Hi All
    I’m back from Margarita; it was a fun class trip new foods experienced and lots of sight seeing tours. (Anyone ever tried Fried Squid, I’ll highly recommend it). One thing I twisted my ankle landing, on trying out gliding over the pond in the amusement park, so on bed rest for a few days; but I loved bumper cars and the roller coaster.
    One movie I watched with diamonds in it is After the Sunset with Pierce Brosnan and Salma Hayek in 2004. This one was about retired Jewel thieves making one last heist. An enjoyable definite suspense. Again please don’t enter me in this contest as I already have this book. Maxine I only got this one recently from you, but I already read it twice, this one is such a fantastic read, you just got to love Brant in the book.

  15. The movie Diamonds with Dan Ackroyd and Kirk Douglas was unique and interesting. Your complete list is very comprehensive and good. Love the post today.

  16. I remember a movie called Snatch which was unusual and involved diamonds. Thanks for this glimpse into so many ultimate diamond movies which appeal to me greatly.

  17. I feel funny lurking so I thought I’d just stick my big foot in the door and say hi to everyone. I’m a new fan to the line and have to admit I wish I’d opened my eyes a little sooner. I absolutely love the fast paced plots and sexy storylines!

    Diamond movies…can’t think of anything beyond Blood Diamond. I love Titanic but almost forgot about the huge honking heart necklace.

  18. The pink panther with Steve Martin, a comedy based on the cartoon is one of the movies that had a diamond in it. I laughed till i hiccuped ut was a fun show. I loved titantic!

  19. Avi, I’m glad you had a great time in Margarita, but sorry to hear about the twisted ankle. Take care.

    Fried squid? Is that the same as what we call calamari, I wonder? Down Under ladies, does anyone know? I love calamari. Yum.

    And Avi, thanks so much for your lovely comments about my first book. I think Brant’s a great guy too. 🙂 Am so glad you enjoyed the book.

  20. Welcome to everyone. We’re glad to see you here.

    Chelle, I’m so glad you found the Desire line. We love writing for Desire and are pleased to know that others love the books too.

    Ladies, thanks for coming up with any further movies with diamonds. I know a lot of the titles you mention but haven’t seen many of the movies myself.

  21. Hi maxine, its the same thing calamari is also squid

  22. Hmmm, now you’re talking my kind of food. Last time I really enjoyed calamari it was flash pan fried and drizzled with a lime cream sauce and tossed with mesculan salad greens. Delicious!

    Hope the ankle heals quickly Avi. One of my kids was told, by a specialist sports doctor recently, to do ice massage to repair ligament damage from a severe sprain to speed along the healing process. Helps the fibres of the ligament realign. Painful as hell, but seems to do the job.

    Anyone see the movie Blue Diamond? (I think that’s the title) about a thief who hides a massive blue diamond in the ceiling space of a building and when he gets out of jail the building has become a police station and he has to try and retrieve the stone.

  23. Ooh, the squid/calamari question. I had this snotty rude little waiter in Sydney (at the RWAus conference last year) tell me that calamari was cut from octopus tentacles and squid was a different dish. D’uh. So why is calamari called squid rings in so many places??? I didn’t like him. At all.

  24. Hi Yvonne, thanks for the advice. I hope it heals fast, right now my cousin is taking care of me but its hard to sit around and do nothing, although I am catching up on reading (lol). I think the movie you mentioned is called blue streak that is if it stars martin lawrence and luke wilson, martin faked being a police officer to get it back. I forgot about it till i saw it in your post.

  25. yvonne that waiter was rude, as a chef, if i worked in the place i would have made him clean all the squid as punishment (lol) customers are very a top priority in the reasturant i work in. I hope the food was good to compensate for the bad service (lol)

  26. I ended up having ribs! Very messy! Actually, now I’m wondering whether he wasn’t just repeating something that had been told to him from the kitchen as a joke…you know, like my dh (who is an engineer) telling an apprentice to go to the stores to requisition a left handed screw driver, or something like that :-D!

    And yes! Blue Streak! That’s the name of the movie.

  27. Hey Avi J and welcome back! If I went to a place like Margarita, I’d want to be drinking it all the time 😉

    Snatch… hmmm… don’t you love the people who think up all these double-entendre titles?

    Yvonne – I’m practicing my comeback to horrid people by simply calling them on it. Haven’t had to use the “Gee, that was quite rude,” yet because everyone seems to be in a good mood in my town ATM 🙂

  28. Hi Maxine, great post.

    Sorry I’ve been AWOL the last few days, been tied up with a sticky deadline, then catching up on some sleep and re-introducing myself to hubby and family/friends. Now it’s packing time as I move house in about 9 days! Ooh, and shopping time as we need LOTS of furniture. YAY!

    Diamond movies, I loved Blood Diamond too, really makes you aware of the power the big monopolys have. Have to confess I haven’t seen Sweet Home Alabama (loved the song LOL) but will look out for it (if you guys keep reminding me…) Surely Elizabeth Taylor has a diamond movie in her resume’. I know she had the famous Burton diamond – several times over!! Wasn’t Breakfast at Tiffany’s anything to do with diamonds??

    AviJ hope the ankle is better. Congrats to Natalie for winning the book on the last blog. And re rude sales or customer service people – I was in one fo the poshest furniture shops in town and sat on a gorgeous comfy big leather sofa and this snot salesman came along and said “Wouldn’t it be nice?” Funny thing was I have a big leather couch that was every bit as expensive as this one even though it’s a few years old. Sure I was comparing but I said to him, I came in to buy some Newbuck leather cleaner and conditioner for my couch but I think I’ll go somewhere else. Pratt!

    Paula I have started your book and have to say I’m impressed! You must know a heck of a lot about corporate stuff – and your writing is so good!

    ok back to the packing!

  29. hey who put that smiley in there? I don’t know how to!!

  30. Crystal B. Says:

    Two movies that involve stolen/stealing diamonds that I can think of are Blue Streak (with Martin Lawrence) and After the Sunset (with Pierce Brosnan).

  31. Hey guys, check out the contest page, our Paula has made ALL our winners feel real special.

  32. Jan, congratulations on finishing your latest manuscript. I know how hard you worked to finish it amongst all the distractions. And buying a house is a MAJOR distraction! Wow, and only 9 more days before you move. Enjoy buying all the furniture for it. I’m sure you will. 🙂

    And yes, Paula’s put all our contest winners’ names on the DDU contest page. There’s lots of winners and still more to come.

  33. I can’t think of any other diamond movies just now. But I agree with you about Four Weddings and a Funeral, the Andie McDowell charcater was soooo annoying (though I did love that scene where she lists all her lovers!)

  34. I saw our names on the contest page. I love it. Thanks, Paula.

  35. Jan – the smilies come in automatically if you do a colon and a bracket 🙂 a semi colon and a bracket 😉 and a colon and a capital D 😀 Oh, and am happy to start a Mutual Admiration Society LOL.

    Thanks for the compliments on the website’s contest names… Bron suggested it!

  36. limecello Says:

    LOL I got distracted by the octopus vs. squid, so I went and my google search of “octopus and squid” came up with this: http://www.nhptv.org/natureworks/nwep6f.htm
    so… maybe the fried calamari is octopus – since it has the tentacles? But then don’t tacos have tentacles? (google isn’t being helpful with that search because it keeps giving me Mexican tacos…).
    Either way, squid or octopus, I like fried calamari. And I’ve had both squid and octopus 😛 though we always refer to them in different languages.

  37. Okay, I’ve put everyone’s names in a hat and picked a winner……

    “limecello, come on down!” (says Maxine in her Price is Right voice :))

    Yes, limecello. You’ve won a copy of my very first Silhouette Desire, The Millionaire’s Seductive Revenge, plus a small koala stuffed animal toy.

    Congratulations! Please send me an email through my website with your snail mail address and I’ll send both things to you in the mail.

  38. congrats limecello

  39. azteclady Says:

    Yay, congrats, limecello,you lucky gal you!

    Thank you for a fun discussion, ladies–have a great weekend.

  40. limecello Says:

    Yay, thanks so much! 😀 I think I’m going to name the koala “drop bear” 😉

  41. wtg limecello

  42. “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom” wasn’t really about diamonds, but in the opening segment, Indy and Willie are both after a large diamond that’s lost among some spilled ice. Later, Indy describes the legend of the Sankara stones, saying that “when the rocks are brought together, the diamonds inside them will glow.”

  43. Ah, yes, Auriette! I remember that vividly! Good call.

  44. hi everyone

  45. I love blood Diamond! such a great movie!

  46. Demir, I’ve heard so many people talk about The Blood Diamond. I must go watch it soon!

    Thanks for dropping by.

    Maxine

  47. Hello, is there anyone who knows about an old movie, beginning 70s about a diamonds traffic in south africa where one of the protagonists is called “Nadine” in the movie?
    I remember some scenes in a kind of desert…

  48. Vero, I don’t know which movie that would be but I’ll ask the other ladies. One of them might know.

    Thanks for dropping by our blog.

    Maxine

  49. hey hi there hey i, looking for a movie is about this woman that is tring to be the first woman presdent of the diamond company and when she doest get the job she tills the bigges dymond there im trying to know the name of ths movie pls if you can help me out … thanks

  50. Carlos, I don’t know that movie but I suggest you go to the Internet Movie Database http://www.imdb.com and search for movies with diamonds in the title, and perhaps your might find something there. Sorry I couldn’t be more help.

    Good luck!

    Maxine

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