Il tesoro di Matecumbe

They'll never release this again. I bought it used on video... but I can see no DVD for it ever. First of all, no one wants it. It is badly acted (except of course the great Peter Ustinov's character) and not exciting or interesting. The main female lead, rest her soul, had the most horrible attempt at a "southern accent" I've heard. There is a dance scene on the dock with some tough guys that makes you want to put a gun to your head too. It feels like a 1970's TV movie big time. Even though it is supposed to be taking place during the reconstruction... the opening credit music just ignores that and goes with some Godawful "Matecumbe" song that sounds straight out of 1976. Also, Vic Morrow opens the film by asking "where's you blacks?" referring to the plantation owners' former slaves. He then shortly thereafter shoots the former slave that night. Usually in Disney flicks, they shoot at someone but always miss. This guy just layed there and died! In addition to that, this is the only Disney movie that has the Ku Klux Klan in it. All this may sound interesting, but it isn't. It is a lousy movie at best.

Based on the book by Robert Lewis Taylor, the Disney production "Treasure of Matecumbe" is a mostly agreeable, lively, colorful period adventure. It may be overly intense - even objectionable - for some viewers, but it delivers entertainment in generous doses, for a somewhat over extended run time.

It begins in post Civil War Kentucky, as young boys Davie Burnie (Johnny Doran) and Thad (Billy 'Pop' Atmore) are forced to flee for their lives. You see, Davies' late father had buried some treasure on the Florida isle of Matecumbe, and a nasty villain named Spangler (Vic Morrow) also wants this booty. Spangler wants the map that has come into Davies' possession, and he and his goons pursue the kids every step of the way. Fortunately, some adults come to the kids' aid: quack medicine man Dr. Snodgrass (Peter Ustinov), runaway bride Lauriette Paxton (Joan Hackett), and Davies' own uncle Jim (Robert Foxworth).

Scripted by Don Tait, and directed with gusto by Vincent McEveety, "Treasure of Matecumbe" isn't harmless, but it does manage to be quite amusing and even exciting, especially during a climactic hurricane sequence. The production values and attempts to recreate a period feel are respectable, and fortunately the story does have a sense of humor at times. The pacing isn't always perfect, as there is some filler. The flatboat sequence is a case in point. Still, it does feature some irresistible music.

The cast is wonderful, all the way down the line. Ustinov in particular gets to be an eccentric scene stealer. The boys are appealing, and the villainy by Morrow is formidable. You'll notice a bunch of familiar faces in roles big and small: Jane Wyatt, Virginia Vincent, Robert DoQui, Don Knight, Mills Watson, Dub Taylor, Valentin de Vargas, Dick Van Patten, George Lindsey, Logan Ramsey, John Steadman, Brion James.

Good fun for people who enjoy a good treasure hunt movie.

Seven out of 10.

This is a great film that will keep the kids interested. The friendship between Davie and Thad is immeasurable. And the bonds that form between the adults and kids is something that is surely missed in today's cinema. Outstanding performances by Peter Ustinov and the late great Joan Hackett. On a personal note: Ms. Hackett may you rest in peace. You are surely missed....!

I first watched this movie when I was about 7 or 8 and I watched it over and over again it was so good. I wish I could see it again, but the DVD is still very hard to come by. The movie deals with a young boy and his companion who are forced to flee from their home in search of a treasure. Jim and Ben end up meeting lots of different people who can help them along the way, but they also have a lot of things happen to them that either slows them down or simply gets in their way, but none the less it's a very entertaining movie and has a good plot to it. It's a good show to see as a kid or even adult if you like stories that entail treasure hunting. It actually has a good story to it unlike some movies today that are just filled with special effects. So if you want to see a good old fashioned treasure hunting flick then you have found it.

I haven't seen this film for over 40 years and it has held up remarkably well. It's a simple tale of a pair of elderly spinsters who face losing their family home. Their only lifeline may come from a tale of buried US Civil War gold. Others have heard about this treasure too, so when two young boys (Johnny Duran & Pop Atmore) set off with the map in search of it, they are closely pursued by a sinister gang led by "Spangler" (Vic Morrow). They start on the riverboat where they meet the savvy Joan Hackett - who can out sharp the card-sharps; then they alight on the avuncular Peter Ustinov ("Ewing T. Snodgrass") who runs a dodgy medicine wagon and we have some fun adventures - his "Spoojoo Juice" seems as effective as an high explosive as it is as a cure for gout! Finally they rescue "Uncle Jim" (Robert Foxworth) and our intrepid team is now ready to face allcomers on their treasure trail. There is no jeopardy about any of this, the ending is pretty much written on the first page - but Ustinov is on good form and we have loads of shoot 'em ups; an explosive encounter with the KKK and even a barn-dance with fisticuffs. It does tend to limp along a bit at times, the greenscreen scenes are very basic (especially on the river) - and at just shy of two hours is half an hour too long. That said, it is a fun Disney action adventure that probably wouldn't be of much interest to kids now, but would have been in 1976.