The Maltese Falcon

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The Maltese Falcon

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The Maltese Falcon

Humphrey Bogart, Mary Astor, Peter Lorre, Sydney Greenstreet, Ward Bond

After two previous film versions of Dashiell Hammett's detective classic The Maltese Falcon, Warner Bros. finally got it right in 1941--or, rather, John Huston, a long-established screenwriter making ... read more read more...his directorial debut, got it right, simply by adhering as closely as possible to the original. Taking over from a recalcitrant George Raft, Humphrey Bogart achieved true stardom as Sam Spade, a hard-boiled San Francisco private eye who can be as unscrupulous as the next guy but also adheres to his own personal code of honor. Into the offices of the Spade & Archer detective agency sweeps a Miss Wonderly (Mary Astor), who offers a large retainer to Sam and his partner Miles Archer (Jerome Cowan) if they'll protect her from someone named Floyd Thursby. The detectives believe neither Miss Wonderly nor her story, but they believe her money. Since Archer saw her first, he takes the case -- and later that evening he is shot to death, as is the mysterious Thursby. Miss Wonderly's real name turns out to be Brigid O'Shaughnessey, and, as the story continues, Sam is also introduced to the effeminate Joel Cairo (Peter Lorre) and the fat, erudite Kasper Gutman (Sydney Greenstreet, in his film debut). It turns out that Brigid, Cairo and Gutman are all international scoundrels, all involved in the search for a foot-high, jewel-encrusted statuette in the shape of a falcon. Though both Cairo and Gutman offer Spade small fortunes to find the "black bird," they are obviously willing to commit mayhem and murder towards that goal: Gutman, for example, drugs Spade and allows his "gunsel" Wilmer (Elisha Cook Jr.) to kick and beat the unconscious detective. This classic film noir detective yarn gets better with each viewing, which is more than can be said for the first two Maltese Falcons and the ill-advised 1975 "sequel" The Black Bird. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Id: 10903888

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The Maltese Falcon Recent Reviews
  • rjayhutchinson
    February 10, 2012
    rjayhutchinson
    Why don't we get films like this anymore? Why don't we get actors as slick and as savvy as Humphrey Bogart in our day? There's really not much to say about this film other than it's an exciting, compelling picture the likes of which just aren't created in this modern day. It's a ... read moreclassic dramatic mystery.
  • cosmo313
    January 7, 2012
    cosmo313
    John Huston's debut film is the third(!) adaptation of Dashiell Hammett's classic detective novel. Much like Ben-Hur, I had no idea that the classic that everyone raves about is a remake or at least not the first version.

    Regardless, this is a great film, and it pretty much kick... read more started the film noir subgenre. The film concerns private eye Sam Spade who gets caught up in a web of mystery, intrigue, and a valuable item whe na lvoely lady shows up at his office needing his services. From there the film becomes less about the plot and the statue of the title (it's a classic MacGuffin), and is instead a sharply written, wonderfully acted, and excellently paced character study where the focus is less on action, and more of a duel of wits.

    The cinematography is elegant, evocative, and sets the mood perfectly. The music starts off kinda light and almost unfitting, but then comes around, saves itself, and adds to the tension and suspense. The acting is where the film really shines though, As Sam Spade, Humphrey Bogart stopped being a B-Level character player and became the A-List icon everyone knows and loves. Peter Lorre is good as the iffy and effiminate Joel Cairo, and Mary Astor makes for a terrific femme fatale, but it's Sydney Greenstreet, in his film debut as Kasper Gutman who really impresses, definitely makign a solid impression, thanks in part to his intimidating build (guy must be at least 6 feet tall and weigh over 300 lbs).

    All in all, this is a stirring and memorable caper that just cruises right along and, despite the twisty, turny nature of the plot, never becomes incomprehensible, and gets wrapped up nicely by the time the end credits roll. This one set a standard that is still influencing pop culture today, and definitely deserves to be seen.
  • danperry17
    November 27, 2011
    danperry17
    I know, I know: it's a classic. Unfortunately, I had trouble staying awake during this one. The scenes are so long and talky - though that's something I usually like in old movies, it didn't work for me here. Also, I understand the purpose of a plot coupon like the titular falcon... read more, but it kind of makes you feel cheated in the end, doesn't it? I didn't really care to learn who was doing the killings: I wanted to know what was going to happen once they found the falcon. High suspense, though - I'm sure I'll appreciate it next time through - and great acting combine to make this film watchable, and re-watchable, but it's kind of a ho-hum genre piece stuck in its time. It won't blow your mind.
  • fb1664868775
    November 13, 2011
    fb1664868775
    The Maltese Falcon is Huston's first masterpiece and the essential example of film noir. Bogart in one of his most memorable roles.
  • TomBowler
    October 7, 2011
    TomBowler
    Perplexing, stylish and dark. Full review later.
  • DragonEyeMorrison
    August 9, 2011
    DragonEyeMorrison
    If you ever wonder why Bogart is a movie icon, this is the movie you need to watch.
  • sergioogarcia
    August 9, 2011
    sergioogarcia
    Agree with most of you. One of the best movies ever. I doubt someone could give us a better performance as Humprey portraying Sam Spade or any other detective. He's is unique, as he is ironic, sarcastic, clever and fast talker. "What do you want me to do? Learn to stutter?" . Gre... read moreat script and good directing. It would be great to watch a new Sam Spade adventure...but also improbable.
  • stevenecarrier
    May 31, 2011
    stevenecarrier
    John Huston's "The Maltese Falcon" is just really great. The plot is mature and twisty and the performances are first rate. Yes, this is quintessential Humphrey Bogart but the real standout is Mary Astor. She deftly calculates the right amount of vulnerability and strength to mak... read moree her role singularly believable. The only real fault this film has is that it's essentially a series of conversations, so things can feel a bit long and confined, but regardless, it's a nifty little mystery.
  • FireStormStudios
    October 15, 2010
    FireStormStudios
    I don't know if it was just me or not, but I found this one hard to follow. It all made sense in the end, but I got lost about halfway through. I'm okay with it just being me. Maybe I was tired or something. Anyways, it was neat to see a similar cast to Casablanca in the film... read more. They did a tremendous job and even though I got lost in some if the lengthy dialogue, it had me on the edge until the last line of the film. Entertaining for certain and a good one to watch.
  • ajv2688
    September 30, 2010
    ajv2688
    Many people point to this as one of the best noir films, I don't think it's the best, but I do like it. I highly recommend checking it out.
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