DIAMONDS ON WHEELS

UK, 1975, 84 minutes, Colour.
Peter Firth, Patrick Allen, George Sewell, Dudley Sutton, Barry Jackson, Richard Wattis, Alan Cuthbertson, George Woodbridge.
Directed by Jerome Courtland.

Diamonds on Wheels is a Disney film – especially geared towards audiences who enjoy cars, machines, races. The focus is on three young children, led by Peter Firth, who get mixed up with a gang of thieves and the stealing of diamonds, to the value of a million pounds, hidden in their car. The film takes place during a twenty-four-hour rally – and there are many cars for aficionados to admire.

The film then gives an opportunity for the cars to race, for chases, for children’s action, for Disney-style gangsters.

The film was directed by actor Jerome Courtland who started directing television material in the late 60s including The Flying Nun and a number of television programs and some films for Disney.

1 Was this a good Disney thriller-adventure? The Disney emphasis, style? The adventure ingredients?

2. The presentation of the robbery? Interest and excitement, techniques of the criminals, mutual betrayals, the crash and the search for the diamonds? A good setting for a thriller?

3. Comment on the personalities and styles of' the various criminals: the planners, the dumb criminal, the bosses? What types were they?

4. The role of the police? The pursuit of the individuals? The danger for the officer?

5. The importance of the children and the car rally? The focus on the details of cars? The race? The characters of the boys and the girl? Their spirit and heroism? Going up the side track? Their fear? Overhearing details? Reporting to the police?

6. The importance of the pursuit in the warehouse? The details of comedy?

7. The drama of the end of the race and the happy ending? Their sense of achievement?

8. What values of heroism did the film present in thriller form? How well?