The Dain Curse

TV Mini Series
1978
6h

IMDb RATING

YOUR RATING

Hard-boiled Detective Crime Drama Mystery Thriller

Private eye investigates diamond theft, and becomes involved with an ancient family curse.Private eye investigates diamond theft, and becomes involved with an ancient family curse.Private eye investigates diamond theft, and becomes involved with an ancient family curse.

Creator
- Robert W. Lenski
Stars

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.5/10

441

YOUR RATING

Creator
- Robert W. Lenski
Stars

See production info at IMDbPro

Nominated for 3 Primetime Emmys
- 1 win & 3 nominations total

Episodes3

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TopTop-rated Season2 years

Photos4

Top cast40

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Tom Bower

Sgt. O'Gar

David Canary

Jack Santos

Malachy McCourt

Mickey

Hattie Winston

Minnie Hershey

James Coburn

Hamilton Nash

Jason Miller

Owen Fitzstephans

Paul Stewart

The Old Man

Beeson Carroll

Marshall Cotton

Martin Cassidy

Eric Collinson

Roni Dengel

Daisy Cotton

Karen Ludwig

Maria Gross

Roland Winters

Hubert Collinson

Jean Simmons

Aaronia Haldorn

Hector Elizondo

Ben Feeney

Beatrice Straight

Alice Dain Leggett

Eric Brown

Manuel Haldorn

Nancy Addison

Gabrielle Leggett

Ellis Rabb

Joseph Haldorn

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9:57

Storyline

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Trivia
There is no character named "Hamilton Nash" in the original novel (nor any other story by Dashiell Hammett). The detective hero of the novel is the unnamed "Continental Op" who features in many Hammett stories, and who is a slightly overweight man of below average height (about 5' 6"). James Coburn plays an operative of the Continental Detective agency, but there the resemblance ends. Coburn is made up to resemble the author Dashiell Hammett.

Alternate versions
The production produced both a feature length cut and mini-series versions of the story. The mini-series was made first for television then a feature length cut was produced for home video.

Connections
Featured in The 30th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards (1978)

User reviews15

Featured review

10/10

Excellent Hammett Adaption

Although Hammett's Continental Op is written as short and squatty, Coburn manages to fit the role perfectly. The novel never gives him a name, but in a four-and-a-half hour film, he of course has to have one. This is the main change from Hammett's masterful novel, which the filmmakers have wisely chosen to stick to like glue. Beware the shortened version. If you can catch the complete version, it's worth it. Excellent cast, and terrific score. Coburn has never been better, and it's always great to see Jean Simmons. Hector Olonzdo is worth watching as the sheriff. This is a terrific tale of redemption, corruption, and unrequited love. This is one of Hammett's forgotten tales, and it's amazing that it was never filmed until 1978.