The Diamond Hunters 

Set against the background of South Africa's emerald coast and diamond mines, Diamond Hunters traces the torrid fortunes of a family unable to forgive and forget. Johnny, a successful ... See full summary »

Stars:

Alyssa Milano, Sean Patrick Flanery, Michael Easton

Cast

Series cast summary:
Alyssa Milano	...	Tracey Van der Byl 2 episodes, 2001
Sean Patrick Flanery	...	Johnny Lance 2 episodes, 2001
Michael Easton	...	Benedict Van der Byl 2 episodes, 2001
Jolene Blalock	...	Ruby Grange 2 episodes, 2001
Roy Scheider	...	Jacob Van der Byl 2 episodes, 2001
Hannes Jaenicke	...	Hugo Kramer 2 episodes, 2001
Armin Rohde	...	Sascha Schmidt 2 episodes, 2001
Vusi Kunene	...	Wes Kofi 2 episodes, 2001
Brian O'Shaughnessy	...	Michael Shapiro 2 episodes, 2001
Ross Kettle	...	Ken Hartford 2 episodes, 2001
Gerry Maritz	...	Frederick de Groot 2 episodes, 2001
Rick Rogers	...	Percy 2 episodes, 2001
Nambitha Mpumlwana	...	Dara 2 episodes, 2001
James Borchers	...	Little Johnny 2 episodes, 2001
Jarryd Burtenshaw	...	Little Benedict 2 episodes, 2001
Danielle Woolley	...	Little Tracey 2 episodes, 2001
Lara Bye	...	Brothel Madame 2 episodes, 2001
Andre Roothman	...	Victor Celeste 2 episodes, 2001
Soli Philander	...	Farley 2 episodes, 2001
Josephine Liedeman	...	Nomsa 2 episodes, 2001
Robert Whitehead	...	Frank Larson 2 episodes, 2001
Olivia Stephanie North	...	Wedding Guest 2 episodes, 2001

Storyline

Set against the background of South Africa's emerald coast and diamond mines, Diamond Hunters traces the torrid fortunes of a family unable to forgive and forget. Johnny, a successful diamond hunter, gets sucked back into a family that had been his own, before the patriarch, Jacob Van der Byl, abandoned him 20 years ago. Painful memories of an unjust father and a long lost love come back to reality as Johnny is pitted against his own half-brother Benedict in a fight over two women, a diamond empire and ultimately, his very survival. Played out over two episodes, Diamond Hunters describes Johnny's thwarted attempts to win the approval of Jacob, and the under-hand schemes by which the inimical Benedict plans to defeat him. Tracey, Benedict's sister and Johnny's true love, further complicates the fraternal rivalry, as all attempt to overcome the demons that survive from their troubled childhood.

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Plot Keywords:

tv mini series | remake | based on novel | 

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Taglines:

A battle for power.

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Genres:

Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for some sexuality

Details

Official Sites:

DeAngelis Film Production and Distribution

Country:

South Africa USA Germany Italy

Language:

English

Release Date:

2001 (USA)

Also Known As:

Caçadores de Diamantes

Filming Locations:

Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa

Company Credits

Production Co:

De Angelis Group,Film Afrika Worldwide,Global Entertainment Productions GmbH & Company Medien KG

Technical Specs

Runtime:

120 min (edited) 102 min (Ontario)

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

The movie/mini series is based on the book of the same name, written by the popular author Wilbur Smith.

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Goofs

During one of Ruby Grange's love scenes, the beige-colored tape used to cover her nipples is clearly visible as she lies on her back.

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Alternate Versions

There are two versions: the original miniseries at 2x90minute episodes and the TV-Movie version which is trimmed down to 100minutes.

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Connections

Remake of The Kingfisher Caper (1975)

User Reviews

Decent tale of a diamond mining family would be better had the DVD not removed 70 minutes

The current release of this film on DVD in America is missing 70 minutes from the full running time as a miniseries. This doesn't hurt the film all that much, but somehow I think it would have been better longer.

The plot concerns the return of an adopted son back to his mining family and the trouble his being given the reigns of the company causes.

I liked this movie. Its was a good way to spend a couple of hours on a rainy day. The problem was that a couple of times there seemed to be something missing. The feeling didn't last long as I was too busy watching what was happening to think about it too much.

No, its not a great film, it a good one, a sort of guilty pleasure. There are flaws, the biggest being the worst performance I've ever seen Roy Scheider give, something I think was do primarily to his stupid attempt at an accent.

Worth a rental.

7 out of 10 in a guilty pleasure sort of way.