Watch The Jewel of Death

The Jewel of Death is a 1992 crime thriller directed by Brian Farnham and starring Albert Blitz, Matthias de Koning, Delia Mayer, and Frank Vincent Ogilvy. The movie centers around a valuable diamond that goes missing and the race to recover it before it falls into the wrong hands. The story begins with the diamond being stolen from a private club, which sets off a chain of events as multiple people try to get their hands on it. The diamond had been in the possession of wealthy businessman Lawrence Davenport (played by Ogilvy), who had intended to auction it off for a considerable sum of money. With the help of his assistant Claudia (Mayer), Davenport tries to track down the diamond and recover it.

Meanwhile, a Dutch thief named Vincent Van der Byl (de Koning) is hired by a group of criminals to steal the diamond. He is given the assistance of a local pickpocket named Max (Blitz), who is supposed to act as his guide. However, things quickly go wrong when Max double-crosses Vincent and flees with the diamond.

The rest of the film is a cat-and-mouse game as Vincent, Max, and Davenport all try to find the diamond first. Along the way, they encounter a cast of colorful characters, including a nightclub singer with a connection to Max and a gangster who wants the diamond for himself.

One of the standout elements of The Jewel of Death is its stylish depiction of the criminal underworld. The film is set in the seedy side of London, with dimly lit alleys and smoky bars serving as the backdrop for the action. The characters' wardrobe and dialogue are also evocative of classic film noir, with Vincent in particular coming across as a modern-day Humphrey Bogart.

The cast is also strong, with each actor delivering a nuanced performance that keeps the film engaging throughout its runtime. Blitz is particularly good as the manipulative Max, who is always on the lookout for an opportunity to turn the situation to his advantage. De Koning brings a certain charm to the role of Vincent, even as he's committing crimes left and right. And Ogilvy is suitably icy as the imperious Davenport.

Despite its many strengths, The Jewel of Death does have a few flaws. The plot can be convoluted at times, with too many characters and subplots vying for attention. And while the film's aesthetic is certainly memorable, it can also be overly stylized in places, leading to a sense of artificiality.

Overall, however, The Jewel of Death is a solid entry in the genre of crime thrillers. It has a strong sense of atmosphere, a talented cast, and enough twists and turns to keep viewers guessing until the very end. If you're a fan of films like The Maltese Falcon or The Big Sleep, The Jewel of Death is definitely worth checking out.