The Million Dollar Dixie Deliverance

During the Civil War, a Confederate officer named Zechariah abducts five affluent children from a Northern boarding school and demands a one million dollar ransom. A wounded Black Union soldier becomes an unlikely ally, and the kids help treat his leg after they remove the bullet. The group then heads into a landscape of forests and frontier towns, making cautious moves to dodge pursuit. Along the way they confront fear, loyalty, and tough moral choices as they rely on wit and teamwork to stay ahead of those who would recapture them or steal their chance at safety. Their bond grows in the face of danger, turning a survival ordeal into something intensely personal. The tension lingers and the odds shift.

Directed by Russ Mayberry, this 1978 television movie stems from a concept by Lawrence Montaigne. It blends Civil War history with a family oriented adventure and marks a notable example of late 1970s TV storytelling, respectful yet brisk in tone.

Reception to the film notes its earnest approach to wartime drama aimed at families. It broaches themes of courage, loyalty, and the possibility of cross racial cooperation during conflict, delivering a hopeful take amid grim historical details. Its pace remains approachable for viewers while inviting adults to reflect on friendships.

Not applicable, as this was produced for television rather than released in theaters, so no box office figure exists. TV historians might note the network premiere and audience size, but there is no conventional worldwide gross to report at release.

Despite its period setting, the movie remains a relatively obscure entry in Civil War era TV cinema. It has few lasting quotes or widely cited moments, making it mostly of interest to viewers who collect vintage TV titles and curious historians exploring late 1970s television for fans of historical TV.