Seven Cities of Gold

11/27/2022

On the face of it, this ought to have been a decent adventure film. Anthony Quinn ("Gaspar") commands a troop of Spanish soldiers travelling through 18th century California seeking treasure. Alongside him is his deputy "Mendoza" (Richard Egan) and their spiritual needs are cared for by "Fr. Serra" (Michael Rennie). Once they land, however, they realise that the terrain is hostile and the natives likewise. It takes time, bullets and some persuasion from the priest to convince "Matuwir" (Jeffrey Hunter) that they mean no harm as they explore. Of course, though, they do. They are there to convert and to plunder - and in so doing, apply the rather cyclical methods used by the church to indoctrinate the perfectly contented pagan population. As an adventure film it falls short on just about ever