Travis McGee is a 1983 American TV movie based on the 1978 novel The Empty Copper Sea by John D. MacDonald.
"We turned our back on a key element in McGee's life because we wanted to have the mobility of a sailboat," said Elliot.
His script used elements of Copper Sea and another McGee book, The Green Ripper.
'"[4] Elliott loved "the humorous and cynical comments about life and the world that MacDonald made through McGee... What there is of that in the show got in because I literally picked up the book, copied it out and said it.
"[4] "Networks, by and large, could care less about the content of programs, as long as they fill the void between commercials," said Elliot.
"[4] The New York Times critic said, "the plot is not entirely convincing and Mr. Elliot has chosen to play McGee in a style so laid back as to be comatose.
"[7] The Philadelphia Inquirer writer said, "except for this deplorable loss of atmosphere [the shift of locale], Travis McGee is a telemovie that perhaps comes as close as is possible to capturing the look and style of MacDonald's virile and invincible hero.
Sam Elliott is so fittingly cast as McGee, and the grizzled Gene Evans as his savvy old sidekick, Meyer, that the substitution of Pismo Beach for Fort Lauderdale is likely to pass unnoticed by most viewers.