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Don't listen to the negative reviews

a film so unique, intoxicating and bizarre that it not only demands another viewing, but is also forgivable as a satirical comedy where the jokes eventually take the back seat.

Story: It's very simple but honestly that is fine.

The story, direction, characters, and writing/dialogue is akin to taking a tranquilizer shot to the neck, but everything else was so well done.

Disjointed jungle adventure follows three disparate groups of characters as they search for diamonds in the Amazon and encounter savage natives. Generally boring, but briefly enlivened by some awesomely gory scenes (crabs!), and a half-nude amazon fleshed-out (no pun intended) by Sonia Infante. Location shooting also helps, although some of the cast members look like they would be more comfortable in a nursing home. ** out of 4.

A diverse array of folks that include rugged guide Gringo (Stuart Whitman in top rough'n'tumble form), slippery former Nazi Klaus von Blantz (a deliciously slimy Donald Pleasence), and foxy lady Barbara (the gorgeous Ann Sidney) brave such perils as piranha, alligators, bees, vicious crabs, and the inevitable tribe of savage cannibals while searching the jungle for a fortune in both gold and diamonds. Director Rene Cardona Jr., who also co-wrote the suitably lurid and eventful script with Jacques Wilson, covers all the essential entertainingly low-grade bases in a satisfying and straightforward manner: The brisk pace never falters for a moment, some tasty gratuitous female nudity, plentiful action, a colorful array of shady characters, breathtaking tropical scenery, a tough no-nonsense tone, graphic gore (the sequence with one guy having his eyes torn out by the crabs rates as the definite nasty splatter highlight), and a nicely cynical attitude about man's unpleasant capacity for greed, lust, and treachery. The excellent cast of familiar B-movie veterans keeps this movie humming: Bradford Dillman as hearty and sarcastic airplane pilot Clark, beautiful busty brunette Sonia Infante as the feisty Marimba, John Ireland as a wise priest, Jorge Luke as antsy loser Jairo, Emilio Fernandez as the mean and intimidating Tacho, and Hugo Stiglitz as a riverboat captain. Daniel Lopez's crisp cinematography vividly captures the beauty and danger of the jungle. Mort Garson's robust full-bore score hits the stirring spot. A total sleazy blast.

There are those who would compare The Treasure of the Amazon to Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981). They would be wrong. OK, This could have been an excellent movie, but it is not. The cast is great and at times actually demonstrates it, but the plot is so thin and ridiculous that it is extremely difficult to get into it at all.Stuart Whitman stars as your typical aging adventurer who leads a group of misfits into the Amazon to find lost WW2 treasure. Most of the group is killed in various horrible and ridiculous ways. The only way I would recommend this film is if you are interested in seeing some top notch actors doing their best to make something of nothing.The cast includes Whitman, star of such wonderful films as Rio Conchos and The Comancheros as the bull headed leader. Bradford Dillman, who starred opposite Robert Redford in The Way We Were, makes an appearance. Donald Pleasence, star of many classic films such as The Great Escape and The Eagle Has Landed, plays an evil Nazi. Rounding out the cast are John Ireland(Gunfight at the OK Corral 1957),Pedro Armendariez Jr.(License To kill 1989)and none other than Harold(Odd Job)Sakata.

Three different groups set out through the jungles of the Amazon with a singular goal - to find treasure. They must overcome wild animals, cannibals, headhunters, and, ultimately, themselves if they are to reach their goal and make it out alive.Treasure of the Amazon has some really good things going for it. First, it features some of the most over-the-top moments I've seen recently. The headhunter attack scenes are a hoot. The low budget special effects add a nice touch. Second, almost every member of the cast delivers a solid performance. Stewart Whitman, Pedro Armendariz, Donald Pleasence, and Sonia Infante are all worth watching. Third, the jungle setting is fabulous. Nice touches with the scenes of animals intercut with the film. The lush jungle is beautiful and frightening at the same time. And fourth, the ending is perfect.But there are things about the movie I didn't care for that keep me from rating it any higher. First, I said that almost every member of the cast was solid. The biggest and most glaring exception is former Miss World Ann Sidney. Her fake Southern accent got old very quickly. Second, John Ireland is so underused I forgot he was even in the movie. I've always enjoyed his work and would like to have seen more of him. Third, and most importantly, the movie gives off a vibe to me that's hard to explain, but kept me from fully enjoying the movie. Much of the film came across to me like an episode of the television show Fantasy Island. Take away the gory bits and I half expected to see Mr. Roarke walking out of the woods in his white suit. It doesn't help matters that I remember seeing half of the cast on the show at various times.