Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		3.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		3.0

Blood and Diamonds Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Jeffrey Kauffman December 16, 2022

Even diehard movie, television and/or theater trivia fans might have a hard time properly listing the credits for either Sharon Ritchie or Marie Wallace. Ritchie seems to only have one credit on Broadway and a smattering on television, though (if it's the same woman, which I have a hunch it is) she was Miss America 1956. Wallace has a few more Broadway credits than Ritchie, but (again I'm assuming this is the same Marie Wallace, which it seems to be) may be best remembered for some cult television work, including a pretty long stint on Dark Shadows. But they are getting a bit of probably past due recognition in this review due to the fact that Ritchie originated (but seemed to have left within weeks, being replaced by Wallace) the brief but pivotal role of Ursula in the original Broadway mounting of Sweet Charity. By the time Bob Fosse matriculated to the film version, German actress Barbara Bouchet assumed the role, in what for some film fans not conversant with European cinema may in fact be her best remembered (if very brief) part, despite the fact that she was also in Casino Royale, Gangs of New York and some relatively high profile Italian gialli and American episodic television series. For those wanting to get a better look (in more ways than one) at the beautiful Bouchet, look no further than Blood and Diamonds, a film which gives Bouchet the chance to strut her stuff as a go go dancer appareled in a skimpy white bikini (she's also briefly topless a time or two).

Commentators Troy Howarth and Nathaniel Thompson make the argument that Blood and Diamonds may be a bit closer to a French noir than a traditional Italian poliziotteschi, though the film might initially be thought of as fitting into that Italian genre due to its kind of breathless, slam bang opening which quickly sees a thief named Guido Mauri (Claudio Cassinelli) ensnared in what may be a set up, which is then quickly followed by the devastating murder of his girlfriend Maria (Olga Karlatos), who has been trying to get him to toe the straight and narrow line going forward. That then sets what is in essence a revenge scenario in motion, with Guido attempting to bring the villains he thinks are responsible for his trauma(s) to his own brand of justice. That includes crime boss Rizzo (Martin Balsam), but in the background there may be someone who actually wants revenge against Guido.

Blood and Diamonds is kind of a halting, lurching affair at times, with brief bursts of energy that then give way to relatively more ruminative character development beats. As even Howarth and Thompson make no bones about discussing, writer and director Fernando Di Leo was on the "downhill slide" of his career by the time the film came out, and that means little vignettes like Bouchet twitching manically to a quasi-disco number may provide the most consistent entertainment value. Still, performances are generally convincing and the story, while rote, moves along briskly without too many needless detours.

Blood and Diamonds Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Blood and Diamonds is presented on Blu-ray courtesy of 88 Films with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in 1.85:1. The back cover offers a generic "4K restoration" without getting into any major details about the element or restoration process. There are some curious variances in both color timing and densities that can be spotted throughout the presentation, and if you're willing to go with the flow as far as both of those aspects are concerned, this is by and large a very appealing looking presentation. You can see a kind of odd green undertone from the get go at the Titanus masthead which tends to come and go throughout the presentation, and some later scenes tend to be somewhat yellowish or flushed pink in quality. Other moments look pretty wan from a suffusion standpoint, with colors kind of receding in vividness. All of these issues tend to ebb and flow throughout the presentation, which leads me to believe whatever element was utilized may not have been curated especially effectively. Detail levels understandably fare best in the most brightly lit scenes featuring midrange or close up coverage. Diffusion filters seems to have been utilized at times, which can lead to a somewhat soft appearance. Grain resolves naturally throughout. My score is 3.75.

Blood and Diamonds Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Blood and Diamonds features LPCM 2.0 Mono tracks in either English or Italian. The two are basically interchangeable, though to my ears the English track is marginally clearer and brighter, especially in the high end. The Italian track may have a bit more full bodied sound in the midrange, but that may be due to the somewhat less prevalent highs. Both tracks offer dialogue, effects and the wonderful score by Luis (misspelled Louis) Bacalov are rendered cleanly and clearly. Optional English subtitles are available.

Blood and Diamonds Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Audio Commentary with Troy Howarth and Nathaniel Thompson


• Down by Di Leo: A Journey of Love (HD; 1:36:39) is subtitled "Discovering Fernando di Leo" and comes with a dedication to Albert Mayles (!), and features a great overview of this probably underappreciated writer and director's career. Subtitled in English.


• Blood and Di Leo (HD; 19:20) is a fun interview with Luc Merenda.


• Italian Opening, Intermission and Closing Titles (HD; 4:16)


• Original Trailer (HD; 3:14)

Additionally the keepcase houses both a folded poster and a good insert booklet with some well written essays. Additionally, packaging features a slipcover.

Blood and Diamonds Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

As Troy Howarth and Nathaniel Thompson get into in their appealing commentary, Di Leo may have wanted to fashion this as a "sibling" of sorts to Milano Calibro 9 (note that the link points to a UK release by Arrow), and in fact one of this film's many alternate titles attempts to overtly make that connection. Blood and Diamonds probably never manages to reach the heights of that film, but it is still often engaging, at least in fits and spurts, plus Bouchet shimmying may be enough of a calling card for some. Technical merits are generally solid and the supplements very appealing, for anyone who may be considering making a purchase.