The Maltese Falcon [DVD] [1941]

This was the directorial debut of the great, if variable, John Huston, who went on to make such classics as The Treasure Of The Sierra Madre, Key Largo, The Asphalt Jungle, The Red Badge Of Courage and Moby-Dick, as well as offbeat films like Wise Blood, Fat City, The Misfits, Freud, and The Dead. It was also the film that finally, after over a decade in bit parts and second leads, consolidated Bogart as a rough-edged, romantic anti-hero of the forties, after his recent breakthrough movie, the superb High Sierra. Perhaps most important of all, it introduced the grateful filmgoer to the massive presence of English-born (from Sandwich!) character actor Sidney Greenstreet, who showed he was not some delirious freak of nature by enlivening later films such as Casablanca, The Verdict, and The Mask Of Dimitrios, all with the unique Peter Lorre, who here plays the prim, perfumed and splendidly named Joel Cairo. Rounding out the corrupt cabal of falconers are Elisha Cook Jr - always great value - as Wilmer the gunsel, and impetuous femme fatale Mary Astor. Bogart as Sam Spade has to decide how far to throw in his lot with these ne`er-do-wells, such is his liking for money and a pretty face, and it`s by no means sure what the denouement of this dark and perverse noir thriller will be - unless of course one has already seen it or read the book, to which it is remarkably faithful. I must have watched it...oh, a dozen times at least, and the pleasure comes from the numerous unforgettable moments: Lee Patrick - as one of that staple of the period, the loyal, wisecracking dame, here as Spade`s secretary and much besides - announcing Joel Cairo with a knowing expression and the single word, "Gardenia!". The way the camera films Greenstreet`s Fat Man from a low angle to emphasise both his bulk and his menace. Mary Astor rearranging the room to hide her fluster, and Bogart telling her sarcastically: "Oh, you`re good, you`re very good...". An uncharacteristically restrained Ward Bond (without a stetson for once) trying to be chummy with Spade while calming his unsmiling lieutenant. Greenstreet`s delighted laughter, hiding such malign purpose, yet genuinely appreciative of Spade`s unpredicatability: "My, but you are a character!" And Lorre simply being Lorre. When was he ever less than enthralling to watch, if only because he was so unlikely a presence, even less likely a film star. His tiny stature beside Greenstreet`s vastness is worth its weight in, appropriately enough, gold. Huston, apart from a couple of odd edits, doesn`t put a foot wrong, and all present grasp their roles as if they knew they might be onto something rather special. There are film noirs I watch more often - The Big Sleep, Out Of The Past, Gilda - but this is a bona fide classic, which bears and repays repeated viewings. Imagine seeing this for the first time back in 1941...

Classic film

an old film for the memories

At least for two reasons, "The Maltese Falcon" is a milestone in the evolution of American genre cinema. First, this is one of the very first pictures that ushered the era of classic film noir. Its bizarre characterizations, twisty plot and cliché-drenched events serve as a perfect template that has been utilized in countless films through six decades after its making. Second, this is the movie that catapulted Humphrey Bogart's career into stardom. He had been a strong supporting character, mostly playing villains (as in "High Sierra" & "The Petrified Forest"). After his performance as hard-boiled private eye Sam Spade, he became a major star. The movie represents a complex study of human psyche, especially taking a dismal look at human greed and pursuit of self-interest at whatever cost. All characters are well-drawn and well-acted. From cynical, quick-thinking and fast-talking Spade to prissy, gardenia-scented but psychopathic Cairo, there are no righteous, clean or likeable character. Everyone is either honestly abhorrent or has numerous ulterior motives hidden behind their masks, but all converge at haunt for wealth. Even the "good guy" Spade's morality is questionable. Although he has a strong sense of idealism; his morality shakes wildly when things go awry. Spade might be considered as just crafty as other villains, but he adheres strictly to some kind of robust moral code and old-fashioned common sense that he tries to find the way out in the dark maze of confusion, deception and lies. At the end, he overcomes all obstacles and defeats bad guys, even at the cost of losing a love affair. Good characterization, tight direction, strong performances and wonderful plot make "The Maltese Falcon" still an interesting & entertaining picture albeit more than six decades have passed after its making. This is a must-have for Huston & Bogart fans, as well as it's a good start to enter the film noir world...

Superb film. I’ll be hosting a Maltese Falcon night with this!

An old time classic that's hard to beat.

The first time I watched his film I was impressed by just how contemporary the characters were. Normally the black and white movies portray a fictional innocence, where men were gentlemen and women were ladies but not the Maltese falcon. It's a dog eat dog world, where Bogart has to be the meanest dog to survive, but it's all just an act, when he meets his match in the form of feeme fatal Mary Astor. It's a must watch, one of the all time greatest movies.

Spot on

Good

What can I say? It is "The Maltese Falcon" and true to the book.

thank you

Très bon film de John Huston souvent considéré comme le premier film noir, il pose les jalons de 2 décennies de films hollywoodiens inspirés par le cinéma européen et marqués par la 2nde guerre mondiale. Pour les amateurs du genre (et d'Humphrey Bogart, Sidney Greenstreet ou Peter Lorre).

I did not know this was for European disk players not much use to me if I can’t watch it, don’t know how to return it.