Feb 05 2009
Black Water Gold (Review)
BLACK WATER GOLD (1970)
Starring Keir Dullea (2001: A Space Odyssey)
I don’t usually expect much from TV movies, especially the older ones. Usually they are under budget and shot on a studio back-lot. Rarely do they ever shoot on location or have great actors doing a fantastic job with a good script. Thankfully, Black Water Gold is that rare exception.
Ray, a cocky scuba diver, is underwater treasure hunting when a man is killed right above him. However, Ray is in hot water himself as he was trespassing on a restricted beach which catches the eye of your stereotypical southern cop. He’s the kind of cop who likes to get out of his car and watch the criminals ride off when he knows he is beat, but unfortunately, he doesn’t throw his hat to the ground and say ‘darn you, boy’. Instead he takes off his hat as if to say ‘there goes one of the best men I ever chased’. This character has nothing to do with the story, but I just thought I’d mention him. Ray talks to Chris Perdeger (Keir Dullea), a scuba diver, about help with uncovering the treasure. Chris decides to get some help in recovering the treasure he found in the ocean. Who better than Ricardo Montalban (Star Trek II’s Kahn) as Alejandro Zayas: an archeologist with knowledge of the treasure sought by Chris. Oh, and Lana Wood (Diamonds Are Forever) helps Chris as well with her historian skills, but she is just there for eye candy.
While Chris and Zayas do their research, they are being spied on by the villain, a femme man wearing a cowboy hat, Elton John sunglasses, pink shirt, and a red ascot. And just in case that weren’t enough, he speaks like a giddy school girl. And as if that weren’t enough, his female partner is a superstitious woman who plays up the whole tarot card bit. Naturally, there is fat and wealthy business man following them. Once the hunt is underway, things start getting interesting with lots of underwater treasure hunting, occasionally interrupted by Ricardo Montalban chewing scenery with his manly accent. Then the goons strike by shooting at Chris and his crew, forcing them to a nearby island where the good guys come up with a plan to find the treasure and beat the bad guys. And I’ve pretty much explained the rest of the movie in the last sentence.
Black Water Gold has some incredible camera footage shot underwater that acts as more than just stock footage. The good guys actually trap the bad guys underwater during the climax. The rest of the movie is brilliantly shot on location in the Keys which is beautiful in contrast to the other budget movies I see shot in the Philippines. The movie’s only downfall is the villain who is poorly conceived and over-the-top in his acting. Also, the story doesn’t allow for much character development considering its very plot based. However, those are minor complaints. The actors do their best with the material and the location shooting is so beautiful, the simple story and crummy villain almost disappear into the background. But, then again, if Ricardo Montalban can’t make a simple movie great, nothing will.
DVD Dump Counter:
-1 annoying theme song.
-4 moments of narration.
-6 scenes underwater.
-2 scenes of spelunking.
-1 femme looking villain.
-1 car chase involving a dune buggy.
-1 stereotypical southern police officer.
-1 one-sided shootout (bad guys on a boat, good guys in the water)
-1 foot chase.
-1 plan explained via sand.
RATING: B-Movie
Given its age, budget, and crummy villain, Black Water Gold holds up surprisingly well. With great actors, some awesome underwater footage, and decent action, this is one of those rare movies that succeeded where others fail. I really hate to use this pun, but it truly is a hidden treasure. And now I have to go beat myself up for such lazy writing.
