| Genre: | Drama |
| Director: | James Goldstone |
| Starring: | Cliff Robertson Loretta Swit Ed O'Ross |
| Music: | Ernest Gold |
| Country: | United States |
| Language: | English |
| Producer: | Charles Hairston Daniel Helfgott |
| Executive Producer: | Max A. Keller |
| Location: | St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands |
| Editor: | Edward A. Biery |
| Cinematography: | Eric Van Haren Noman |
| Runtime: | 95 minutes |
| Company: | Interplanetary Pictures Productions La Rosh Productions |
| Network: | CBS |
Dreams of Gold: The Mel Fisher Story is a 1986 American made-for-television drama film starring Cliff Robertson and Loretta Swit. It is based on the actual adventures of Treasure Hunter Mel Fisher and premiered on CBS on November 15, 1986.
The role of Fisher was played by Cliff Robertson and his wife Deo was played by Loretta Swit.[1] The story centers around Fisher's hunt for the Atocha treasure,[2] and Fisher's 17 obsession-driven year search for the galleon Nuestra Señora de Atocha that vanished in 1622 while being caught in a hurricane off the coast of Florida. It also looks at Fisher's obsession and the effect it had on his family,[3] and the courts that were trying to shut him down.[4]
During the making of the movie, Cliff Robertson was approached by Mel Fisher himself, telling him he had a map and they would meet again.[5] Both he and Robertson are pictured in George Walter Born's Historic Florida Keys: An Illustrated History of Key West & the Keys, with Robertson holding a small treasure chest of silver coins and a gold chain.[6]
Deo Fisher mentioned one inaccuracy in the film. Her character played by Loretta Swit was cooking in the film and she commented that everyone that knew her knows she didn't cook.[7]
The film's production company was Inter Planetary Productions.[8] It was released on November 15, 1986.[9] The DVD was released on February 10, 1998.[10]
| Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Cliff Robertson | Mel Fisher |
| Deo Fisher | |
| Ed O'Ross | Trooper Hudley |
| Scott Paulin | Don Kincaid |
| Jennifer Runyon | Angel Fisher |
| Judi Evans | Penelope Cabot |
| Bruce Toms | Kane Fisher |
| Kerry Remsen | Taffi Fisher |
| Jonathan Hogan | David Horan |
| Martin Rabbett | Dirk Fisher |
| William Zabka | Kim Fisher |
| Steven Williams | Mo |
| Don Hood | Luther Banks |
| Liam Sullivan | Rupert Carmody |
| Brett Porter | Duncan Mathewson |
| Byrne Piven | Local Fisherman |
| Tim Wise | 1st Panel Member |
| David Orange | 2nd Panel Member |
| Sandra P. Davis | Tourist |
| Tony Ayer | 3rd Panel Member |
| Eric Matthews | Marshall |