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The Treasure Seekers (also known as Forty Million Bucks, On a Dead Man’s Chest, Treasure of Death, 40 Million Bucks on a Dead Man’s Chest,[1] Contraband and Jamaican Gold [2]) is a 1979 British-American action film directed by Henry Levin and starring Rod Taylor, Stuart Whitman[3] and Elke Sommer.[1][4][5] It was written by Taylor and Walter Brough.

Premise

Two men who used to play college football together – wealthy lawyer Marian Casey and down to earth Stack Baker – meet by chance at Montego Bay Marina in Jamaica. Baker shows Casey around the island, and the two friends get involved in a brawl. Baker introduces Casey to Meat Cleaver Stewart, a gruff scavenger, and his daughter Debbie. Cleaver has a treasure map but no money to fund a proper search.

Reginald Landers proposes Casey becomes his partner in the search for Henry Morgan’s treasure. Debbie tries to seduce Casey but he refuses. Landers’ mistress, Ursula, is also seeing Baker.

Cast

  • Rod Taylor as Marian Casey
  • Stuart Whitman as Stack Baker
  • Elke Sommer as Ursula
  • Jeremy Kemp as Reginald Landers
  • Bob Phillips as Joe
  • Jennie Sherman as Debbie
  • Keenan Wynn as Meat Cleaver Stewart
  • Keith Foote as Lincoln
  • Dan Jackson as Supt. Prinz
  • Patrick Wymore as Shelley
  • Patricia Hornung as Alicia
  • Hans Kahn as German captain
  • Paul Methuen as Merril Jr
  • Joanna Wilhelm as Merril Jr.’s wife
  • Dermot Hussey as Stevan

Production

In June 1975 it was announced Taylor would star with Stuart Whitman in On a Dead Man’s Chest directed by Henry Levin.[6]

Filming took place on location in Jamaica in 1976 and was finished by June. Locations included Montego Bay, Kingston, Admiral’s Inn, Coldeck Castle and Bowden Wharf.[7]

There were a number of problems during the shoot and post production.[8]

Reception

Derek Winnert wrote: “Rod Taylor and Stuart Whitman are both pretty dull, while Jeremy Kemp and Keenan Wynn (as Meat Cleaver Stewart) overact but liven things up a bit, and it is good to have Elke Sommer aboard as the alluring Ursula. However, director Levin does not manage much energy or excitement, though there is an entertaining action climax.”[2]

References

  1. ^ a b “The Treasure Seekers”. British Film Institute Collections Search. Retrieved 7 October 2025.
  2. ^ a b Winnert, Derek (11 March 2021). “The Treasure Seekers”. derekwinnert.com. Retrieved 7 October 2025.
  3. ^ Vagg, Stephen (6 February 2026). “Not Quite Movie Stars: Stuart Whitman”. Variety. Retrieved 6 February 2026.
  4. ^ Vagg, Stephen (25 March 2026). “The A to Z of Henry Levin”. Filmink. Retrieved 25 March 2026.
  5. ^ “BFI | Film & TV Database | The Treasure Seekers (1977)”. ftvdb.bfi.org.uk. Archived from the original on 6 February 2009. Retrieved 7 October 2025.
  6. ^ “U.S. Saluted in Disney land”. Democrat and Chronicle. 17 June 1975. p. 18.
  7. ^ “On the aisle”. The Birmingham News. 14 June 1976. p. 26.
  8. ^ Stephen Vagg, Rod Taylor: An Aussie in Hollywood (Bear Manor Media, 2010) p188-189