This film, based on the novel of the same name, was the focus of a miniseries that aired in 1984 and was nominated for a Primetime Emmy. Sidney Sheldon has been an accomplished writer of TV, Broadway plays, 18 novels and even one film. This release comes in the form of a 2 disc set containing 4 episodes to complete the story, and is presented in the full screen aspect ratio only.
The story begins as an elderly woman is at her birthday party and starts to recollect the path that had brought her to her present position in life. As the beginning of an empire is earned from the blood sweat and tears of a Scottish emigrant, the search of fortune in diamonds place him in South Africa. Being new to this brand of prospecting, he finds himself at the mercy of a Dutch store keeper that partners with him, only to find out that he had been swindled. After being beat down and left for dead, the Scotsmen, McGregor is patched up by one of the same men who tried to kill him and they form a partnership to get revenge on the Dutchmen whom crossed them both. The team then hatches a plan to get rich by collecting a fortune in diamonds from an off limits area owned by a large corporation. When luck runs their way, they split their earnings and go their separate ways leaving the revenge up to the crafty McGregor. The story progresses at a slow pace to set up the basis of the family empire, and then seems to speed though different generations and mainly focuses on the corruption, lies, and control that riddle the family and anyone who surrounds them. Manipulation engulfs the main heir to the family fortune, Katy Blackwell, as she does whatever it takes for the company and leaves everyone else to fend for themselves. She even drives her son to the point of insanity as she controls every aspect or major decision without his knowledge, till it all blows up in Katy’s face. She does end up with twin daughters that have their own brand of lies and back stabbing.
wonderful story in concept, and not having read the book, but I felt like the story told in great detail on the setting op of the empire and speed through some spots as to progress the story to what the director or editor felt was the next natural progression for the film. Being a miniseries, and almost 7 hours in length, I felt as though a couple of hours more could have been added to better show some aspects that seemed to be rushed and a bit confusing. I can certainly see why it was nominated for an Emmy for the time period, but I’m not so sure it holds up to time. I found the first part of the series to be the most riveting but the rest seemed to be more about spoiled rich kids riding on the sacrifices of the original starter of the empire. Decent story at best.
Reviewed by Michael Albaugh
