The Maltese Falcon (2 Disc Special Edition) [1941]

Customer Reviews:

Timeless.......2007-11-20

Timeless cinema! Nearly seventy years old and still the greatest detective film by far. Listen to the dialogue, try not to miss a single word. It's not just a Bogart film, every actor/actress plays their part like they were the starring role. Dashiell Hammett wrote the book and John Huston put it on the big screen. I don't want to end this review with a cliche but I must; they just don't make movies like that anymore!

the falcon flies high..........2007-08-31

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.

The DVD transfer is quite good. Black & white tones are crisp and clear, contrasts are satisfactorily strong, audio is all right. Bonus DVD has some interesting extras. 45-minutes non-film featurette (Becoming Attractions: The Trailers of Humphrey Bogart) hosted by Robert Osborne is a nice trailer collection of 12 Bogart films, from "The Petrified Forest" of 1936 to "The Treasure of the Sierra Madre" of 1948. 32-minutes documentary (The Maltese Falcon: One Magnificent Bird) deals with book, Hammett and the earlier film versions. Also it has interviews with Robert Osbourne, Michael Madsen, Frank Miller and Bogart biographer Eric Lax.

This 2-disc special edition is a must-have for Huston & Bogart fans, as well as it's a good start to enter the film noir world.

In 1539 The Knights Templar of Malta..........2007-08-10

...paid tribute to Charles V of Spain, by sending him A Golden Falcon encrusted from beak to claw with rarest jewels..."

The Falcon was lost in time.
Our mystery begins when a beautiful but enigmatic woman (Mary Astor) shows up at the Spade and Archer detective agency. She gives them a story that is implausible; however they are well paid. This leads to the death of Archer.
Who did it and why? The police suspect Sam Spade.
Who do you suspect?
As the story unfolds many interesting characters (suspects) show up and the story takes different turns as the mystery of the missing falcon continues.

I will not go through the whole story However there is many well know actors and Hammett dialog.

Be sure to view the earlier version of this story "Dangerous Female" (1931); you will get a different view.
Sam Spade (Ricardo Cortez)
Ruth Wonderly (Bebe Daniels)

Brilliant.......2007-02-15

This film is one of the best of all time this dvd is quite special aswell as it has a brand new digital transfer and the picture is very clear.
This 2 disc dvd bursts with special features i wont tell you to much about the film but a must see for a movie fan.

A Masterpiece.......2007-01-29

If I see a better film on DVD this year (2007), it's going to have to be quite something to beat this. Based on the novel by Dashell Hammett Bogart plays Sam Spade (Private Detective), a role he was born to play. He and his partner are hired by a woman who claims a man is keeping her and her sister separated. Soon after this things spiral out of control.

The screenplay by John Huston is magnificent. The dialog is sharp and there isn't a wasted breath. Mind you Huston's direction is equally good and as for the the cast, well perfection is the only word I can think of. Peter Lorre as the oily Joel Cairo has never been better than he is in this film. Sdyney Greenstreet is fabulous as Kasper Gutman. Amazingly at the age of 62, and weighing close to 300lbs this was Greenstreet's debut film performance. Finally there is Bogart, an icon certainly, but also a great actor with a huge amount of screen presence. What surprised me watching the film again recently is how small Bogart seemed, but checking the records it turns out he was 5' 10.5".

The film is currently ranked 57th on the IMDB (www.imdb.com) all-time top 250 films, which for a film that is 66 years old is pretty amazing. However when you watch it you will find out why.

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