The Tillamook Treasure

"Tillamook Treasure" is a pleasure to view. The story is imaginative, well told and suspenseful, building as the plot unfolds. The characters are well thought out and the tension and eventual resolution of conflict within the subject family is satisfying and upbeat. The location is a sight to behold, the photography stunning at times. This particular section of the Oregon coast is particularly well-suited for a treasure hunt! The acting is well done. The direction is to the point, without a lot of diversions and side plots emphasized. The comic relief provided by Richard Doyon, one of the producers and writers of the film, is unexpected and funny! This is a terrific family film! It's presentation in high definition added to my enjoyment as well.

The Legend Of Tillamook's Gold aka Tillamook Treasure tells the story of a young girl- the daughter of a struggling writer- who has moved to Oregon, from California, when her family suffers from money problems.

One day, she happens upon a gold coin, of Spanish origin, on the beach.

Which she learns more about after querying her marionette making grandfather, and his indigenous friend, Standing Elk.

Standing Elk tells her a tale about how his ancestors had witnessed the Spanish land on their shores, with a slave, whom they forced to bury a cache of treasure- before killing him, so that his ghost would watch over the treasure.

Until the chosen one comes to find it.

After going on a vision quest, and, with the help of the slave's lost soul in the form of an elk, she works to crack the code of the treasure's location.

Despite having competition from the local historian, and her partner- who constantly attempt to stifle her efforts.

Eventually, she figures it out.

But it almost gets her- and her father- killed.

And she is forced to decide between fame and fortune...or their lives.

The whole thing is rather low budget, with very mediocre acting.

But the main actress is cute, and her character is endearing.

It all has a less-exciting Goonies sort of vibe.

Though it must be noted that this is more of a family film, with an adventure angle, than it is an adventure film, with a family angle, like The Goonies.

It's certainly not the best treasure hunting movie ever made.

In fact, it's probably among the worst.

But the little twist at the end is clever and heart felt.

That being said, it likely won't be enjoyed by most.

But I enjoyed the message it puts out there, on a personal level.

So I'd say it's worth a watch.

4.5 out of 10.

What a treat to go to a movie and enjoy every minute of it. The girl who plays Julie, the lead character, Suzanne Marie Doyon, was charming and such a wonderful actor. I am looking forward to more from this young lady. There is a scene with her older sister (Janine Doyon -- they must be sisters in real life as well as the movie - very cool) where they were sitting on the beach talking about the family's problems, was beautiful in all ways, very touching. It was among my favorites in the movie.

I like it that the movie shows a girl growing up and maturing without having to resort to the old story line of sex and drugs. Growing up certainly involves those things for many but this film touches on what is really important -- learning who you are in the world and discovering that you have the power to do important things. This is a real good moral for young girls everywhere.

I also loved the old Indian man, Standing Elk. He was so wonderful, funny and so respectful of Julie that he teaches her things by guiding her to the answers instead of preaching at her. He is so cute, too.

I would have voted 10 but I never have seem the perfect movie.

We, that is my wife Bridget and twins Sheldon and Brandy (12) enjoyed seeing 'Tillamook Treasure' at the Newport Festival and have recommended it to our neighbors in Temecula. Its a family film of moral value, pleasing to the eye and gentle on your mind. The cinematography is excellent and the actors compliment a dramatic and worthwhile movie event. My kids want me to get the DVD and can't wait to see 'the making of' the film. The producers have filled a void in American movies today by providing entertainment that upholds traditional family values. There's drama, action, comedy and a message which uplifts ones spirit. We wish to thank the writer/producers Jane Beaumont Hall and Richard Doyon. Susan Doyon is a delight to see and Sheldon wants a poster. MR

My wife and I have a couple of children in grade school and middle school. We have difficulty finding movies that we can go to as a family which we would all enjoy. We heard about this film at the Newport Beach Festival of Films and thought we'd give it a shot. We were so pleased. It appealed to our whole family and on the way home was the catalyst for a discussion about what it means to find inner strength.

The production was great. I know it was a low budget so I didn't expect the production values of a big studio movie but I was pleasantly surprised. It was exceptionally well done and you would never know it was a low budget independent. The acting was great. We loved the young girl (Suzanne Marie Doyon). She's going places. And the native American influence brought real depth to the film.

Kudos to the filmmakers.

Len

(oh, yeah, the puppets were beautifully done. My youngest really got into them and even my near-high schooler thought they were great. They went far beyond a kids puppet show.