Treasure on Silver Lake: The Unexpected Blockbuster That Captivated Cold War Europe
A little-known Western, Treasure on Silver Lake, holds the record as the most-visited film in Czech cinemas until 1989, attracting over 10 million viewers and dominating screens for an astonishing 19 weeks. This unlikely success story, originating not from Hollywood but from a bold European production, reveals a fascinating moment in cinematic history and a shift in audience preferences.
A Risky Bet on the Wild West
In 1964, producer Horst Wendlandt took a significant gamble by investing in a grand adventure Western based on the works of author Karl May. The genre was largely considered the domain of American filmmakers, and traditional Western narratives often relegated Indigenous characters to the role of antagonists. Wendlandt, however, envisioned a different approach, one that would resonate with audiences beyond the United States.
“It was a risky move, westerns belonged exclusively to Hollywood and Indians traditionally played enemies in them, not positive heroes,” the source material notes. Despite skepticism, Wendlandt’s vision materialized in Treasure on Silver Lake, which quickly gained traction after its premiere at Stuttgart’s Universum cinema. The film eventually reached over sixty countries, proving that a European Western could compete with – and even surpass – American box office hits like The Brave Seven.
Nineteen Weeks of Cinematic Frenzy
The film’s arrival in Czech theaters in May 1964 sparked a genuine cultural phenomenon. Treasure on Silver Lake ran for an unprecedented nineteen consecutive weeks, drawing an incredible 10,040,000 viewers. This record remained unbroken for years, exceeding the viewership of subsequent Westerns like Winnetou (9,057,000) and Winnetou – The Red Gentleman (8,990,000).
One individual recalled the intense demand, stating, “My dad remembers standing in line with his friends for two hours and considered it lucky. According to him, some interested parties waited all afternoon and they didn’t even make it to the last replay anyway.” This anecdote underscores the film’s immense popularity and the lengths to which audiences went to experience it.
The Birth of Western Stars
The film featured Lex Barker as Old Shatterhand and Pierre Brice as Winnetou, but their iconic status hadn’t yet solidified. According to the source, these characters weren’t the primary focus of this initial installment, with their popularity blossoming in subsequent films.
Barker, previously known for his role as Tarzan, struggled to achieve mainstream success in Hollywood. Brice, meanwhile, secured the role just weeks before filming commenced, accepting a modest fee and acknowledging his lack of equestrian skills. He initially approached the project with reservations, agreeing only due to Barker’s involvement.
However, the true standout performance came from British-Czech actor Herbert Lom, who portrayed the bandit Cornel Brinkley. Lom commanded a significantly higher salary than Brice and harbored doubts about the project, refusing to watch the film for decades. He finally viewed Treasure on Silver Lake in 2004 at the Zlín festival and was reportedly “pleasantly surprised” by the result.
An Unlikely On-Screen Partnership
Contemporary viewers might notice a lack of chemistry between Barker and Brice in Treasure on Silver Lake. Their limited screen time together and uncertain interactions reflect the fact that it was their first collaboration, and they were still getting to know each other. The renowned on-screen dynamic that defined their later work was yet to develop.
Yugoslavia Stands In for the American West
The film’s stunning landscapes weren’t the American prairies, but the rugged terrain of Yugoslavia, specifically the Plitvice Lakes. A Western town named Tulsa was constructed along the coast, Butler’s farm was located in the Grobnik Valley, and the treasure cave was created in an improvised studio within a Crikvenica fire station.
Local residents of Plitvička Jezera were cast as Indigenous tribes, and the production utilized an impressive array of resources, including over 2,500 horses and 3,000 props – 450 arrows and 12,000 marks, to name a few. The filming of the Battle of Butler’s Farm, a particularly challenging sequence, took nearly a week to complete and resulted in several injuries, including one to cameraman Ernst W. Kalinke, who was struck by a burning torch and hospitalized for eight days.
Treasure on Silver Lake’s enduring legacy lies not only in its box office success but also in its demonstration that compelling storytelling and innovative filmmaking can transcend geographical boundaries and cultural expectations. The film remains a testament to the power of a bold vision and a captivating adventure.
