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Dark Obsession

Original title: Diamond Skulls
  • 19891989
  • NC-17NC-17
  • 1h 40m
IMDb RATING
4.8/10
355
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Gabriel Byrne and Amanda Donohoe in Diamond Skulls (1989)
  • Drama
  • Thriller
A group of young British guardsmen have to cover up a hit and run incident that occurred at the end of a night of drunken revelry.A group of young British guardsmen have to cover up a hit and run incident that occurred at the end of a night of drunken revelry.A group of young British guardsmen have to cover up a hit and run incident that occurred at the end of a night of drunken revelry.
IMDb RATING
4.8/10
355
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Nick Broomfield
  • Writers
    • Nick Broomfield(idea)
    • Tim Rose Price(idea)
  • Stars
    • Gabriel Byrne
    • Amanda Donohoe
    • Struan Rodger
Top credits
  • Director
    • Nick Broomfield
  • Writers
    • Nick Broomfield(idea)
    • Tim Rose Price(idea)
  • Stars
    • Gabriel Byrne
    • Amanda Donohoe
    • Struan Rodger
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 7User reviews
    • 6Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 2 nominations

    Photos6

    Gabriel Byrne and Amanda Donohoe in Diamond Skulls (1989)
    Gabriel Byrne and Amanda Donohoe in Diamond Skulls (1989)
    Gabriel Byrne and Amanda Donohoe in Diamond Skulls (1989)
    Gabriel Byrne and Amanda Donohoe in Diamond Skulls (1989)
    Gabriel Byrne and Amanda Donohoe in Diamond Skulls (1989)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Gabriel Byrne
    Gabriel Byrne
    • Lord Hugo Brucktonas Lord Hugo Bruckton
    Amanda Donohoe
    Amanda Donohoe
    • Ginny Brucktonas Ginny Bruckton
    Struan Rodger
    Struan Rodger
    • Peter Eggletonas Peter Eggleton
    Douglas Hodge
    Douglas Hodge
    • Jamie Skinneras Jamie Skinner
    Peter Sands
    Peter Sands
    • The Colonelas The Colonel
    David Delve
    David Delve
    • Alecas Alec
    Ralph Brown
    Ralph Brown
    • Jackas Jack
    Alexander Clempson
    • Edwardas Edward
    Catherine Livesey
    • Nannyas Nanny
    Michael Hordern
    Michael Hordern
    • Lord Crewneas Lord Crewne
    Ian Carmichael
    Ian Carmichael
    • Exeteras Exeter
    Matthew Marsh
    Matthew Marsh
    • Raulas Raul
    Judy Parfitt
    Judy Parfitt
    • Lady Crewneas Lady Crewne
    Sadie Frost
    Sadie Frost
    • Rebeccaas Rebecca
    Edward Burnham
    Edward Burnham
    • John the Gardeneras John the Gardener
    Phyllida Hewat
    Phyllida Hewat
    • Lady Castlemereas Lady Castlemere
    Patrick Field
    • Detective 1as Detective 1
    Jay Benedict
    Jay Benedict
    • Joe Dimandinoas Joe Dimandino
    • Director
      • Nick Broomfield
    • Writers
      • Nick Broomfield(idea)
      • Tim Rose Price(idea)
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit
    Hugo (Gabriel Byrne), heir to a fortune, is married to Ginny (Amanda Donahoe). They have a young son, and she seems devoted to Hugo, but jealousy wracks him. He imagines her in the arms of a colleague, he spies on her, he rages. One night, after drinking with members of his regiment, he runs his car over a woman: she dies, and all but one of his pals urge him to drive on. Why didn't he stop or swerve? She looked like Ginny. A psychological tug of war ensues: Peter (Struan Rodger), Hugo's business associate, wants to use the cover-up to leverage power over the estate; Jamie (Douglas Hodge), who's dating Hugo's sister, wants to go to the Police. Hugo's family closes ranks. As the Police investigation closes in, who wins the power struggle? —<jhailey@hotmail.com>
    • female nudity
    • topless female nudity
    • sex from behind
    • rough sex
    • cliff
    • 17 more
    • Plot summary
    • Add synopsis
    • Taglines
      • The jealousy inside a man's heart . . . can be the deadliest weapon of all
    • Genres
      • Drama
      • Thriller
    • Certificate
      • NC-17
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      In this movie Amanda Donohoe was faced with the added pressure of simulate sexual intercourse with another actor in front of director Nick Broomfield, with whom she was developing a romantic relationship. "I left the filming of that scene until the end of shooting," said Broomfield in reference to the controversial sex scene between Donohoe and Gabriel Byrne. "But I actually enjoyed those scenes. I made sure to create a good relaxed feeling on the set."
    • Alternate versions
      Edited, R-rated version available on video.
    • Connections
      Featured in At the Movies: Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves/Straight Out of Brooklyn/Dark Obsession/Bright Angel (1991)
    • Soundtracks
      Concerto No. 6 in G
      (uncredited)
      Music by Antonio Vivaldi

    User reviews7

    Review
    Top review
    8/10
    Gabriel Byrne
    OK, the film is uncomfortable and a bit basic, but anyone who loves and I mean loves Gabriel Byrne, will really want to watch this movie. Lots of very moody shots of him doing what he does best and thats looking dark, Irish and quite lovely. A bit of a strange plot, but he stands out in his film.

    Amanda Donoghue is excellent, and the back drop of London and the English country side is an important part to the film.

    You don't actually identify with anyone to like in this film, however as previously mentioned if you are an avid 'Gabriel' watcher, then this one is for you.
    helpful•2
    0
    • maeveahunt
    • Feb 18, 2010

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • June 17, 1991 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United Kingdom
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Death and Desire
    • Filming locations
      • Duncombe Park, Helmsley, North Yorkshire, England, UK
    • Production companies
      • Film Four International
      • British Screen Productions
      • Working Title Films
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $336,811
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $15,001
      • Jun 9, 1991
    • Gross worldwide
      • $336,811
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 40 minutes
    • Sound mix
      • Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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