Sharks’ Treasure ** (1975, Cornel Wilde, Yaphet Kotto, John Neilson) – Classic Movie Review 10,240

The 1975 action adventure film Sharks’ Treasure tells an antique-style sunken treasure yarn that is given an odd twist by its writer-star-producer-director Cornel Wilde, who sermonises against tobacco and drink (‘every ounce of alcohol you drink takes your brain five weeks to recover from’), and proves his fitness at 63 with finger-tip press-ups, though he makes sure throughout the film that we can see he is a fit middle-aged man in a Speedo with his well-oiled pecs.

He plays eccentric charter skipper Jim Carnahan, who, with a group of men, tries to recover some lost sunken Spanish treasure in the shark-filled waters off the coast of Honduras (though much of the film was shot in Bonaire in the Dutch Antilles). The group are accosted by five wanted escaped criminals, who suddenly appear on their boat.

Also in the cast are Yaphet Kotto, John Neilson, David Canary, Cliff Osmond, David Gilliam, and Caesar Cordova as Pablo. Unfortunately, though, for most of the film there are no sharks.

RIP Caesar Cordova, who was born on 16 May 1936 in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and died on 26 August 2020 in Atlantic City. He was also known for Carlito’s Way (1993), Scarface (1983), Nighthawks (1981), Where the Buffalo Roam (1980), and Cutter’s Way (1981).

Wilde recalled he came up with the idea for the film in 1969 but could not raise the finance until the success of Jaws  (1975). ‘I would rather have had the field to ourselves, without Jaws,’ he said.

When the crew are captured by the wanted criminals and held hostage on the boat, they are supposed to be far from land but there are many scenes where it can be seen near by.

Wilde also writes (as Jefferson Pascal) the opening theme song ‘Money, Money’, sung by British musician Ken Barrie.

Hungary-born Cornel Wilde (born Kornel Lajos Weisz) was an Oscar nominee as Best Actor for A Song to Remember (1945).

© Derek Winnert 2020 Classic Movie Review 10,240

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