Treasure Of Matecumbe (1976)

Set in post Civil War Kentucky, a former slave (Robert DoQui) reveals to the two maiden ladies (Jane Wyatt, Virginia Vincent) who own the decaying plantation that their deceased brother had hidden a treasure map in a book in their home. When a Northern carpetbagger (Vic Morrow) breaks into the house in order to steal the map, two young boys, one white (Johnny Doran) and one black (Billy Atmore), run off with the intention of finding the treasure themselves. Based on the novel A JOURNEY TO MATECUMBE by Robert Lewis Taylor and directed by Vincent McEveety (HERBIE GOES TO MONTE CARLO). I've not read Taylor's book but if the movie is any indication, it borrows heavily from Mark Twain, specifically Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer. Its familiarity aside, it's an enjoyable family film with enough action and humor that should appeal to adults too. There's an impressive hurricane sequence toward the end of the film and the engaging cast keeps our attention throughout. One of the better live action Disney films of the era. With Peter Ustinov, Joan Hackett, Robert Foxworth, Dick Van Patten and Brion James.