🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Lewis Teague
- Genre: Action, Adventure, Comedy, Romance
- Release year: 1985
- Runtime (length): 1h 46min
- IMDb rating: 6.1/10 (64K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 50%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
Bored couple on a boat trip gets separated; she gets kidnapped by a fake sheikh, and he steals an F-16 to get her back, but the jewel is actually a guy who likes fire.
🍿 The Jewel of the Nile: Detailed Plot Synopsis
Boredom Sets In
Six months after their adventure in Romancing the Stone, Jack Colton and Joan Wilder find their relationship growing stale while sailing the world. Joan is suffering from writer’s block and yearns for a new challenge, while Jack is content with their carefree life on his boat. This sets the stage for their next adventure when Joan is lured away by an enticing offer.

An Offer She Can’t Refuse
At a book signing, Joan meets Omar, a charming Arab ruler who asks her to write his biography. Intrigued, Joan accepts his offer, much to Jack’s dismay. She leaves with Omar, unaware of his true, less-than-savory intentions. This decision plunges her into a dangerous world of political intrigue and deception.

Rescuing Joan, Again
Meanwhile, Jack runs into Ralph, the hapless swindler from their previous escapade. He also encounters Tarak, an Arab who reveals Omar’s sinister plans and the existence of the “Jewel of the Nile.” When Jack’s boat is destroyed, he reluctantly teams up with Ralph and Tarak to rescue Joan and uncover the mystery of the Jewel.

Discovering Omar’s Deceit
Joan soon realizes that Omar is not the benevolent leader he portrays himself to be, but a ruthless dictator. In the palace, she meets Al-Julhara, a holy man who is the real “Jewel of the Nile” and a threat to Omar’s power. Together, Joan and Al-Julhara escape and find Jack, leading to a thrilling escape into the desert.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Jack Colton (Michael Douglas): A resourceful adventurer who embarks on a quest to rescue Joan and thwart Omar’s ambitions.
- Joan Wilder (Kathleen Turner): A romance novelist who gets caught up in a dangerous adventure in the Middle East.
- Ralph (Danny DeVito): A comical and persistent swindler who reluctantly aids Jack in his rescue mission.
- Omar (Spyros Fokas): A charming but ruthless dictator who seeks to unite the Arab world through deception and force.
- Jewel (Avner Eisenberg): A humble and spiritual holy man who is revered as the true leader by his people.
- Tarak (Paul David Magid): A loyal rebel who is against Omar’s brutal regime, and aids Jack in his rescue of Joan and the Jewel.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Joan Wilder: “My heart just isn’t in it. I mean, romance just doesn’t seem real to me anymore.” – Joan expresses her disillusionment with romance and her current life to her publisher, Gloria.
- Gloria: “You don’t write real – you write about people that sail off into the god damn sunset.” – Gloria explains to Joan that romance novels aren’t about reality but fantasy.
- Gloria: “There is no next day! That’s why it’s a romance. You’ve got to stop confusing real life with a romantic novel!” – Gloria emphasizes that romance novels are about the ideal, not the mundane reality of ‘the next day’.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $25,000,000
- Domestic Gross: $75,973,200
- Worldwide Gross: $96,773,200
💥 The Jewel of the Nile Reviews
Personal Review
I remember watching ‘The Jewel of the Nile’ as a kid and being totally thrilled by the action scenes, especially the bit with the F-16! It’s definitely not a cinematic masterpiece, but it’s a fun, cheesy adventure. Kathleen Turner and Michael Douglas have great chemistry. It made me want to travel to exotic places. It still brings back that nostalgic feeling, even if the plot is a bit silly.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of Romancing the Stone”
- “Those who enjoy 80s adventure comedies”
- “Viewers who like Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner pairings”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Violence”
- “Mild language”
- “Cultural stereotypes”
Professional Reviews
- Variety: “While it lacks the freshness of ‘Romancing the Stone,’ ‘The Jewel of the Nile’ delivers enough action and exotic locales to satisfy fans. Douglas and Turner’s chemistry is still evident, though the plot feels somewhat recycled.
- Roger Ebert: “‘The Jewel of the Nile’ is a serviceable sequel, but doesn’t reach the heights of the original. The action sequences are fun, but the story is thin and the humor falls flat at times. It’s enjoyable, but ultimately forgettable.
- The New York Times: “Although a good movie it lacks some key components that the other one had. While not a complete disaster, ‘The Jewel of the Nile’ relies too heavily on recycled jokes and familiar plot points, failing to capture the magic of its predecessor. The performances are adequate, but the script is uninspired.
Audience Reactions
The F-16 chase scene is absolutely bonkers and so much fun to watch!: Fun action sequences and the chemistry between the leads are the most commonly praised aspects.
Danny DeVito’s comedic relief always gets a laugh, no matter how ridiculous it gets.: Many viewers enjoyed the humor provided by Danny DeVito’s character, Ralph.
Overall Consensus: A lighthearted and fun adventure movie, ‘The Jewel of the Nile’ is considered an enjoyable, but not particularly memorable, sequel to ‘Romancing the Stone’.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “Kathleen Turner attempted to back out of the sequel but was threatened with a $25 million lawsuit by 20th Century Fox.”
- “The actors playing the tribesmen Arak, Barak, Karak, Sarak, and Tarak were the members of the juggling troupe the Flying Karamazov Brothers.”
- “Although set primarily in Egypt, the desert scenes were filmed in Ouarzazate, Morocco.”
🖥️ How to Watch The Jewel of the Nile?
The Jewel of the Nile is available for streaming rental or purchase on platforms such as Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check local listings for television airings. Physical copies on DVD and Blu-ray are also widely available for purchase online and in stores. Availability may vary depending on your region.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed The Jewel of the Nile, you might like these similar films:
- Romancing the Stone (1984): Preceding film with same characters and storyline, set in jungles of Colombia.
- Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981): Adventure-driven with exotic locations, action and elements of humor. Set in similar time era.
- The Mummy (1999): Modern adventure film set in Egypt, featuring action, humor, and romance.
- Sahara (2005): Modern adventure film set in Africa, features action, humor and romance.
🛒 The Jewel of the Nile Related Products
- Romancing The Stone / Jewel Of The Nile (Double Feature) [Blu-ray]: Get both movies in one purchase to complete the Jack and Joan adventure, offering hours of entertainment, including beautiful scenery and fun action.
- Jewel of the Nile Movie Poster: Relive the adventure with a high-quality poster. Perfect for adding a touch of adventure to any room.
- The War of the Roses [DVD]: Starring Kathleen Turner, Michael Douglas and Danny DeVito. This dark comedy lets you relive the magic of the trio in a very different, but hilarious setting
- Arabian Costume: Dress up as a Middle-Eastern king/Sheikh. Perfect for Halloween, cosplay and parties.
🎧 Soundtrack
The Jewel of the Nile features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
- “When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Going” – performed by Billy Ocean
- “East Meets West” – performed by Jack Nitzsche
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
Yes, The Jewel of the Nile is a sequel to the 1984 film, Romancing the Stone, continuing the adventures of Jack Colton and Joan Wilder.
The Jewel of the Nile is not a physical gem, but a spiritual leader named Al-Julhara (played by Avner Eisenberg), revered by his people.
The Jewel of the Nile primarily takes place in various locations in North Africa and the Middle East, including Egypt and the fictional nation of Kadir.
Yes, Danny DeVito reprises his role as Ralph, the comical swindler, from Romancing the Stone. He provides much of the film’s comedic relief.
🔥 Bonus Content
10 Things You Didn’t Know About Romancing the Stone
Did you know Kathleen Turner almost wasn’t cast in Romancing the Stone? This video is full of fascinating trivia about the making of the movie that launched the series, you won’t believe some of the casting choices they almost made!
12 Indiana Jones Rip-Offs/Inspired Movies That Are Pretty Good!
Love the adventure and excitement of The Jewel of the Nile? Then you should check this out! It’s a list of similar movies inspired by Indiana Jones, guaranteeing your next movie night will be action-packed. I personally think #7 is pretty underrated!
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