Film Review: Treasure of Matecumbe (1976)

Disney today is a behemoth that towers over all other Hollywood studios. Half a century ago it was quite another story. Disney’s production was limited to family entertainment, which made some question whether it could be viewed as truly major studio. That doesn’t mean that Disney was bad at what it was doing at time, and good example can be found in Treasure of Matecumbe, 1976 period adventure directed by Vincent McEveety.

The plot is based on Journey to Matecumbe, novel by Robert Lewis Taylor. It begins in 1869 Kentucky, where the protagonist, young boy named Davie Burnie (played by Johnny Doran) lives at plantation with his aunts and black best friend Thad (played by Billy Atmore). Plantation has fallen at hard times and Davie’s family might lose it, but Davie learns about treasure his late father has hidden in Florida at the end of Civil War. Just as he learns about this, plantation is attacked by Captain Sprangler (played by Vic Morrow), Northern carpetbagger who also knows about the treasure and wants to learn its location. Davie and Thad are forced to flee and begin long and perilous journey towards Florida. Along the way they are joined by number of colourful characters – runaway bride Lauriette Paxton (played by Joan Hackett), snakes oil salesman Dr. Snodgrass (played by Peter Ustinov) and Davie’s uncle Jimmy (played by Robert Foxworth).

Director Vincent McEveety used to make plenty of films for Disney, and his experienced steady hand is quite evident in Treasure of Matecumbe. Plot, obviously influenced both by Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island and Mark Twain’s novels, features good balance between action and humour, and McEveety in the middle even indulges in charming song and dance number. Despite relatively limited resources the story, which takes place in various locations, flows naturally. Some of today’s audience, however, might be slightly at odds with depiction of racial and political issues which might not be “politically correct”. Film set in post-Civil War South has Northerner as main villain, but its pro-Southern bias gets removed with a scene in which one of the characters have to be rescued from Ku Klux Klan lynching. Film’s age is best seen in scenes that feature rather primitive and not so convincing special effects used when characters are on the boat. The cast is solid, but mostly unremarkable, with an exception of Peter Ustinov who chews scenery as over-eloquent charlatan, as well as Joan Hackett who adds something of a feminist vibes to her character of strong independent 19th Century woman. Treasure of Matecumbe works well as solid and unpretentious family entertainment, although it might not be the best for the youngest of audience because of unusually long running time.

RATING: 6/10 (++)

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