Elite Soldier, Gun Runner, Diamond Smuggler: This is Archer

I loved working on this movie. My favourite job of my entire stunt career. I stunt doubled Leo,trained cast,extras and stunts and you’ll spot me in the scene where they dig for the diamond. Leo shoots me. Making the movie felt like we lived the story. No CGI. All real props ,explosions and choppers etc. Fantastic video my friend. Dan

This movie has a place in my heart because when I was going to marry my wife we watched this movie before going ring shopping as she had never seen it it affected her so bad she refused to get a ring with diamonds 😂😂 so this movie saved me so much money

One thing I particularly liked in Blood Diamond was towards the end you see Archer putting spare magazines in his pockets. In too many movies the hero picks up a gun without collecting extra ammo.

Bro, this is dope. Such a cool concept to breakdown movie action dudes.

Administrative Results: full-time Youtuber, part time history teacher, goon hobbyist. A man of culture.

"Having a beautiful woman in your life really just adds to your overall existence as a man." I agree wholeheartedly!

My stepdad fought in Angola for the SADF from 1974-76, he was part of 6SAI (South African infantry battalion) during operation savannah, he moved onto from the basic infantry to go and join the assault pioneering team for 6SAI (equivalent of special forces). He’s the best damn man I could’ve known and has been a father to me my whole life. Thankyou dad 👍🏻

This movie sold me on DiCaprio as an actor. He owns every scene he's in for blood diamond. The movie is great and the writing is great. But Leo's performance makes this one of my favorite movies ever. He's that good at Danny Archer.

My uncle was in the British Army for 16 years through the late 1950`s and 1960`s, he moved to Rhodesia in 1970 and fought the war right until the end, he was eventually chased out and over the border into South Africa in 1980, my family joined him in SA in 1983 and we regularly used to go to their house for a braai (BBQ to the uninitiated) on weekends, there were always guys there that were clearly very hard men that all worked in "Private Security" on the African continent and abroad, a great bunch of guys that would do anything for you if they knew and trusted you... Also, here`s a Nerd Nugget from Blood Diamond...many of the Mercenaries are rocking a camo pattern uniform that was developed just for 32 Battalion during the Border War, that uniform now is worth rather large amounts of money on the collectors market, as is original Rhodesian "Brushstroke" pattern clothing...

My uncle was born in Rhodesia in 1958, moved to England from South Africa in 82. Ive asked him about his youth in Rhodesia and he won’t talk about it, not because he’s got PTSD or anything like that but because he’s so pissed off at the state of the place now.

Some interesting info : Danny Archers character is 'loosely' based on a real life guy, named Cobus Claassens. (Some references online). Helped with the production, and certain technical aspects of the plot as well, having lived most of the stories and served with the outfits the movie Archer was in. As for the man himself, a bone fide badass and hardman. Parachute battalion officer, and was one of the commanders in Executive Outcomes in Angola and Sierra Leone. Spent a lot of time in Sierra Leone after the conflict ended. Seems like a real colorful man, and he's also been mentioned in some books, including 'My friend the Mercenary - James Brabazon'. (Great book!) Something I thought I'd share, being a fan of the film, and the stories behind each character.

Last year I got to meet a Rhodesian scout at the SCI convention. He is much older now but it was an honor to meet him. I asked him how he liked AK’s he said they are trash that they could not hit a man behind a tree…and the FAL could absolutely hit a man behind a tree and all you could see “was his legs shaking after he shot the tree” W for the FAL

As a nerd who grew up watching Blood Diamond, I can confirm that I did indeed say "Tee Eye Ayy" randomly to people who had no idea what I was talking about. Fast forward to Afghanistan in 2013, and I told people it stood for "This is Afghanistan" 😂😂

Pizza Sausage

This was rad and a fun change of pace. A breakdown of Heat and the actual bank robber De Niro's character was based on would be cool.

As a combat Vet and ex smuggler I resonate with no one more than Archer. When I came back from Afghanistan I thought the same thing when I saw how corrupt our government has become “Really? is this it?” And like Danny I wanted to get mine. I have a non violent federal felony charge now and can never touch a firearm for the rest of my life, but I have a family now, with children that love me. So in the end I had found my pink, my diamond. And I think that is what this movie is all about. P.S to people saying expunge, federal felonies and misdemeanors are a lifetime ban on your 2A rights. Frankly, idk how god given rights can be taken away but what do I know.

If you haven't heard of him, you should read up about Neall Ellis. He's an ex SAAF pilot that flew in many conflicts such as the SA Border War, Rhodesian Bush War, the Balkan War, the war in Sierra Leone and even the war in Afghanistan. He flew Alouette 3s, Mi-8s and even Mi-24s. He's an absolute legend and I'm sure you'll enjoy reading about him. I'd recommend reading Gunship Ace as it is an incredible book about everything he did

These sorts of videos are calming for some unknown reason. It's like a movie version of forgotten weapons.

I grew up overseas and learned about the SADF through South African friends who had served. I also love this movie! I was fortunate to encounter "The Colonel" when I worked at Golds Gym in Venice, Ca. He was bigger than life then as well, but I see that trait in many Rhodesians/South Africans. They are like a real version of bigger than life fearless super heroes. Excellent video, looking forward to more.

I showed Blood Diamond to a friend of mine last year. As soon as we got to the scene where Archer sees the Colonel in full battle rattle, he paused the movie and checked his kit out in awe and admiration, as well as actually starting to work on a clone-ish rifle of the carbine.