As civil war rages through 1990s Sierra Leone, two men, a white South African mercenary and a black Mende fisherman, become joined in a common quest to recover a rare gem that has the power to transform their lives. With the help of an American journalist, the men embark on a hazardous trek through rebel territory to achieve their goal. starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Connelly, Djimon Hounsou, Michael Sheen, and Arnold Vosloo. Edward Zwick directs from the screenplay by Charles Leavitt; Story by Leavitt and C. Gaby Mitchell. Produced by Paula Weinstein, Zwick, Marshall Herskovitz, Graham King and Gillian Gorfil • Executive Producers: Len Amato and Benjamin Waisbren. Music by James Newton Howard. a Spring Creek/Bedford Falls production, with Initial Entertainment Group, for Warner Bros. Pictures, with Virtual Studios. Filmed around South Africa and in London circa Winter 2006. Approved [No. 43118]/rated R for strong violence; and for language.