Guy Ritchie's latest documentary, The Diamond Heist, has captured the attention of viewers worldwide, soaring to the top of the Netflix charts and unseating the popular series Black Mirror. This gripping three-part series revisits the audacious heist attempted in the summer of 2000, where a group of South-East London criminals plotted to steal the Millennium Star, the world’s second-largest flawless diamond, valued at £200 million. Their scheme involved a bulldozer to ram-raid the Millennium Dome in broad daylight, followed by a dramatic escape via speedboat down the Thames. However, the criminals were under the watchful eye of the Flying Squad, a specialized police unit.
The documentary's description encapsulates the thrilling narrative: "A group of South-East London criminals are orchestrating what just might be the most audacious heist of all time. Their plan: use a bulldozer to ram-raid the brand new Millennium Dome in broad daylight, steal the world’s second biggest flawless diamond in a haul worth £350 million, and escape by speedboat down the Thames. There’s just one tiny problem: the Flying Squad are watching." This blend of high stakes and humor has resonated with audiences, as reflected in social media reactions. One viewer tweeted, "Just watched #Diamondheist on #Netflix. Fantastic. Remember it so clearly. The last sentence of the 3 episodes is so funny. Defo is a must watch documentary."
Others echoed similar sentiments, with comments like, "The diamond heist on Netflix by Guy Ritchie is great," and, "Just finished #thediamondheist. Cracking documentary." However, not all feedback was positive. Some viewers critiqued Ritchie's presentation style, with one remarking, "Watching this guy giggle his way through this documentary is embarrassing as he’s basically a smug plonka bragging about his crimes!"
The documentary features firsthand accounts from former gang member Lee Wenham, alongside insights from the Met's Flying Squad, which ultimately thwarted the robbery. During the heist, the gang employed smoke grenades and ammonia to infiltrate the Millennium Dome, where the diamond was displayed, owned by the diamond specialists De Beers. Key figures in the heist included Raymond 'Black Ray' Betson and William Cockram, both of whom received 18-year sentences for conspiracy to rob, while accomplices Robert Adams and Aldo Ciarrocchi were sentenced to 15 years each. Judge Coombe, who presided over the case, described the crime as "a wicked and highly professional crime. It was a very well-planned and premeditated attempt to rob the diamonds' owners, De Beers, of what would have been the most gigantic sum in history."
The timing of The Diamond Heist's release coincided with another documentary, The Golden Toilet Heist, which recounts the theft of a £5 million solid-gold toilet from Blenheim Palace in 2019. Critics have noted the unfortunate scheduling clash, as this half-hour BBC documentary might have shone more brightly in a different week. The juxtaposition of these two heists raises questions about the nature of crime and the public's fascination with it. While Ritchie's documentary is a sprawling three-part saga filled with drama and humor, the toilet heist is a brief, albeit humorous, tale of absurdity.
Reflecting on the nature of the heist, one critic recalled a moment in the documentary where a Tory MP appeared on Newsnight 25 years ago, remarking, "The whole thing feels like a publicity stunt for a Guy Ritchie film." This sentiment underscores the inherent theatricality of the attempted diamond theft, which some argue was almost cinematic in its execution. Ritchie, known for his gangster films, had long been associated with the underworld of London, and this documentary feels like a natural extension of his cinematic style.
In discussing the documentary's content, it is noted that Ritchie has effectively captured the stereotypical gangsters from southeast London and Kent, complete with grandiose nicknames like “the muscle,” “the boatman,” and “the builder.” This portrayal, while entertaining, raises questions about authenticity and the romanticization of crime. Critics point out that the gang members, now appearing on camera 25 years later, may have lost some of their former menace, making their antics feel more like a comedic reenactment than a serious crime narrative.
The heist itself was both audacious and brief, taking place under the noses of the Flying Squad, who had been surveilling the area for months. In a mere three minutes, the criminals attempted to execute their plan, showcasing a level of confidence that borders on recklessness. The documentary cleverly interweaves archival footage and contemporary interviews, creating an engaging narrative that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats.
One of the more humorous aspects of the documentary is its use of clips from classic films like The Italian Job, which resonate with the themes of heist and betrayal. In contrast, The Golden Toilet Heist offers a more straightforward account, relying on CCTV footage to tell its story. This highlights the differences in storytelling between the two documentaries, with Ritchie's work leaning heavily into dramatization and character development.
Despite the differences in the two heists, both documentaries tap into a shared cultural fascination with crime and the audacity of those who commit it. Whether it's a £200 million diamond or a £5 million toilet, the allure of the heist captivates audiences. The question remains: what drives this fascination? Is it the thrill of the chase, the cleverness of the criminals, or simply the absurdity of the crimes themselves? As both documentaries illustrate, there’s something inherently entertaining about rooting for the bad guys, even when they’re up to no good.
As viewers continue to engage with The Diamond Heist, it’s clear that Ritchie's storytelling prowess has breathed new life into this historical event, transforming it into a captivating narrative that resonates with modern audiences. The documentary not only recounts the past but also reflects on the cultural implications of crime and the ways in which society engages with narratives of theft and deception.
