The Maltese Falcon (1941)

The Maltese Falcon
Call No: PN1995.9.D4 M253 2000

Since the last two films I reviewed were both in colour, I decided to choose something a little less colourful. I’ve chosen The Maltese Falcon for three reasons. The first is that my housemate has put together a “must see” list of films for herself, and this film is on it. The second is that I spent some time watching two Marx Brothers movies earlier in the week, both of them black and white. Third and finally, the curators from the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) have released their top 100 films to watch, and The Maltese Falcon is on it (#85).

Based on the Dashiell Hammett novel of the same name, The Maltese Falcon is the textbook definition of a film noir.  It has all of the basic requirements. It’s dark, it contains a serious crime, murders, a femme fatale, and has a cynical private detective.  Humphrey Bogart, whom many people will recognize as “that guy from that Casablanca movie”, plays Sam Spade, a private detective caught up in a web of intrigue surrounding the legend of the Maltese Falcon.

According to legend, the Falcon was a bird created by the Knights Templar of Malta, made of gold and encrusted with priceless jewels and intended as a gift for the King of Spain. It never reached him, stolen before reaching its destination.  The Falcon was covered in black to hide its true value.  Over the centuries it has been lost, stolen and bartered. Finally it has landed into the lives of Sam Spade and three other people. There’s Joel Cairo, a suspiciously quiet and soft spoken criminal. Then there’s Kasper Gutman, a heavyset man whose desire for the bird is stronger than anyone else. And there’s Brigid O'Shaughnessy, a woman involved who wants nothing more than to get out... or does she?

One of the stronger aspects of the film is the fact that there is always something going on. Nothing detracts from the main plot of the story.  The film was written and directed by legendary filmmaker John Huston, who started out as a screenwriter and, as a result, knows the importance each scene should serve a purpose. No scene in this film is wasted, and every scene plays a part in the building and unfolding of the drama, suspense and intrigue of this exceptional film.

The film also solidified Humphrey Bogart as a leading man and tough guy. Until now, he had never been taken seriously as an actor. After this film, Bogart went on to do other such famous movies as Treasure of Sierra Madre (“We don’t need no stinkin’ badges!), The African Queen (for which he got the Oscar for Best Actor), and the most famous of all, Casablanca. Both Sydney Greenstreet and Peter Lorre were considered solid actors following the film, though not to the same degree as Bogart. The three reunited for other films, including Across the Pacific and Casablanca.

This film is not only suspenseful, but demonstrates the human condition and how far one group of people will go to get what each of them want. Greed, power, money, and revenge are all the classic driving forces in this film. None of these is stronger than Sam Spade’s, whose desire to uncover his partner’s murder surpasses money, justice and love. “When a man's partner is killed,” he says, “he's supposed to do something about it. It doesn't make any difference what you thought of him. He was your partner and you're supposed to do something about it.” But does he stay true to this? Does he succeed?

There’s one way to find out.