Blood Diamond

What’s it about?

Blood Diamond is a political thriller set during the brutal civil war in 1990s Sierra Leone. It follows a fisherman, a mercenary, and a journalist whose lives intersect over a rare pink diamond, exposing the human cost of the conflict diamond trade.

The facts 

• Directed by Edward Zwick (The Last Samurai and Legends of the Fall)
• Starring Leonardo DiCaprio (One Battle After Another), Djimon Hounsou (Never Back Down) and Jennifer Connelly (Labyrinth).
• English language
• Runtime: 144 minutes

Why did it get this rating? 

This film was classified by Te Mana Whakaatu, Classification Office. You can find out more about classification process and ratings here.

Depicts graphic and realistic war scenes

There are intense scenes of armed conflict, including shootings, explosions, and close-range killings with visible blood and injury detail. Civilians are caught in attacks on villages, and child soldiers are shown being forcibly recruited, beaten, and trained to commit violent acts. Amputations and the aftermath of massacres are referenced and at times depicted, reflecting real acts committed during the war. The violence is shown in a documentary-like style that may be distressing for some viewers. Strongest scenes include:

• A character’s hand is cut off with a machete as punishment, with blood visible.
• A character is shot during a confrontation. The wound and its aftermath are shown.
• Armed rebels raid a village, shooting civilians at close range. Homes are burned and people are executed in front of their families.

Offensive language 

There is frequent use of offensive language including “f*ck” and “sh*t”. An anti-Black South African racial slur is used once in the film.

Content that may offend 

A goat is killed on screen as part of a diamond-smuggling scheme (brief, non-detailed depiction).

When content stays with you: 

We all have our boundaries, and it’s completely okay if something you’ve watched is weighing on your mind. If certain content lingers with you, consider having a chat with friends or whānau to debrief about what you’ve just seen. But if you’re still feeling affected, please reach out to any of the following helplines for support.  

• 1737
• Safe to talk
• Lifeline
• Youthline

Further information 

• Why are ratings and content warnings important for me and my whānau?