The Diamond

1938
Silent
14m

A gem-smuggling conspiracy drives an entertaining and unusually accomplished amateur fiction.

Kenneth and Vernon Hunter were no run-of-the-mill amateur filmmakers. On the strength of The Diamond, the brothers had not just a sense of fun but a real grasp of cinema. Shot on 16mm with a cast of family and friends, this pulpy gem-smuggling thriller is a zesty genre flick not so far away from the 'quota quickies' churned out by 30s studios (though its roots are in 20s silent films). At the same time, it has a joyful intimacy (including hints of private jokes) that's uniquely amateur.

As well as some surprisingly sophisticated editing, the film features some smart use of locations around Richmond and Kew and some sparing but convincing set design for the car interiors. This is not just an entertaining yarn; it captures a particularly warm moment in a family's life - before war and grief intervened. Sadly, the Hunters' follow-up, Fight for Freedom, was interrupted by the outbreak of WWII. After Vernon's death in the 1940s, Kenneth made several amateur documentaries. Youngest sister Phyllis, meanwhile, enjoyed some time on the stage.

Amateur Auteurs

Ever dreamed of shooting your own movie? These pre-digital cine-enthusiasts did - with all the passion and devotion of the true auteur.

These low- (or no-) budget creations reach beyond simple point-and-shoot, back-garden efforts towards something more ambitious and skilful, revealing their authors' passion for film and their often astonishing ingenuity with limited resources. No desktop editing software or digital special effects for these amateur auteurs. The films include fiction and documentary, competition prizewinners and private labours of love. They may be the work of cine-clubbers or individual enthusiasts. But they all show a devotion to filmmaking that far transcends hobbyism. So look out for the delightful handmade intertitles, table-top special effects and library soundtracks which decorate many of the quirky stories, ultra-local documentaries and painstakingly composed home movies featured here.