Black Water Gold

I saw "Black Water Gold" broadcast on TV when I was about 12 years old. I remember it being an exciting scuba-diving adventure. Over three decades later, the refrain of the theme song still runs through my mind now and then.

I was surprised to find that this movie has a page on IMDB. I found the page via actor Keir Dullea's page, when I was looking to see what movies he'd been in besides "2001:A Space Odyssey".

I'd love to see "Black Water Gold" again.

I have always liked Treasure Hunting movies shot on location. Here several groups of divers are in Nassau, Bahamas where fun and sun are usually the order of the day. They even state in the movie that "very little happens around here" Amidst the usual eating and drinking it becomes known that a Sunken Spanish Galion, "The Huldalgo" has been found. It seems like everyone knew about it but just didn't know exactly where it was located. Well, one of the adventures did find it and the other groups want to steal it. They battle underwater and some die. Aaron Kincaid, who originally discovered it ends up with 5 million dollars and an offer from Lana Wood to help spend it. The fool turns her down.

Fast-paced treasure hunt finds self-proclaimed scuba "bum" (Kincaid) framed for murder after local king-pin's (Dillman) thug overdoes the standover routine on two divers searching for antiquities of a sunken Spanish galleon. When Kincaid discovers the ill-fated pair recovered part of the long-lost bounty, he enlists the aid of marine archaeologist (Dullea) and local treasure-hunter (Montalban) to raise the wreck before Dillman can cash-in.

Very modest time-filler at best, and sorry to disappoint, but little to no shark (or any other) action mention. Dillman is offbeat as he minces about in flamboyance, whilst the beautiful France Nuyen hangs from his arm foretelling destinies with a perpetual cocktail and Black Magic motifs. Montalban is perhaps the most watchable, both he and Dullea have some sort of back-story on which to develop their characters, unlike poor Aron Kincaid despite being essentially the central protagonist, has little to do but look annoyed and complain. Nevermind, there's a glimmer of hope suggested before the credits roll.

Good cast, some sunny-looking Caribbean exteriors and plenty of underwater faunalogue, but ultimately, there's very few shocks or thrills in this 72-minute TV quickie to recommend.

I too saw this film when I was young,15,in 1974, and enjoyed it, But I was in hospital, (with cancer)and very scared, And seeing this film cheered me up and that it why I think have never forgotten it, I too always remembered the theme song, and when I found a DVD of the film, I was fearful that I would spoil the fond memories that I had, I am happy to say that this is still a fun little treasure movie, with lot's of underwater action, good performance's from all the cast , France Nuyen has always been a favorite of mine ,I also like Ricardo Montalban, and seeing this film again, I would say that this is my favorite performance by Bradford Dillman, only trouble with his character is, Why did someone so "Camp" Have a Girlfried ? (I loved the conversation he had with his Mother)

One thing I did not remember was what an attractive girl Lana Wood was.

Out doing a little illegal sample gathering, scuba diver Ray Sandage (Aron Kincaid) witnesses two men murdered in the water just above. Returning to shore, he's delighted and shocked to find a gold coin among the items he collected. Sandage recruits some help to discover the resting place of a Spanish galleon. Sandage's group is in a race to find the treasure with a team that has already proved it will commit murder.

While the lure of Black Water Gold might be the promise of a treasure hunt. the thing that I found the most entertaining was Bradford Dillman. Dillman was a fairly competent, but ultimately bland, actor who showed-up in just about every TV program or made- for-TV movie produced in the 70s. He's just always there, but not often the standout. His character, Lyle Fawcett, adds a lot to Black Water Gold. He's a spoiled, rich Mama's boy who is accustomed to getting what he wants. And if he wants the treasure, he'll kill to get it. I loved the scene where he speaks with his mother on the phone. It says volumes about the character. Really good stuff. Beyond Dillman, Black Water Gold benefits from snappy direction, nice underwater intrigue, and a surprisingly strong cast, including the great Ricardo Montalban, France Nuyen, and the stunningly beautiful Lana Wood. It's not the kind of movie that will knock your socks off, but it is an decent way to spend just over an hour.