George_Chabot's Full Review: Treasure of the Sierra Madre
The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (1948)
"Badges? We ain't got no badges. We don't need no badges. I don't have to show you any stinking badges" Gold Hat.
Director John Huston and actor Humphrey Bogart together made some of the most memorable films in Hollywood's long history.
Their first collaboration, and Huston's first crack at directing brought us The Maltese Falcon, in 1941, and forever defined the hard-boiled, wisecracking detective for the silver screen. The African Queen, ten years later paired a seedy Humphrey Bogart and prim Katharine Hepburn in a color film of great charm and power - a study of how opposites attract. The Treasure of the Sierra Madre, in 1948, was the middle work of this brilliant trilogy, a film of uncommon power in revealing some of man's underlying human nature when the chips are down.
From a novel by B. Traven - a figure of mystery in his own right - the story concerns two down on their luck losers, Curtin and Dobbs, played by Tim Holt and Humphrey Bogart, respectively, who decide to go prospecting with an old prospector, Howard played by Walter Huston (The Devil and Daniel Webster, Dodsworth), the director's father and one of the finest thespians America has produced. Starting as decent individuals as depicted by various acts of kindness in the early scenes, the two gradually turn on each other, once gold is discovered.
Bogey paints a fine portrait of insanity, lapsing from jealousy, to suspicion, to full-blown paranoia as the tale unwinds far from civilization in the high Sierra Mountains. Howard is long gone by this time, having saved a Mexican boy he is the pet of the village. Curtin and Dobbs are alone with each other and their gold. They are so suspicious that neither one will go to sleep for fear of the other. At last Curtin can stay awake no longer and Dobbs, taking advantage of the situation, shoots him. Relieved that he is finally rid of his rival, Dobbs gleefully heads for civilization only to be confronted by the bandit gang which metes out what, under the circumstances, can only be seen as divine retribution! Alfonso Bedoya chews the scenery in a riveting portrait of the bandit leader Gold Hat.Bruce Bennett also plays a supporting part that you'll remember.
The direction, by John Huston, is incisive and the black and white cinematography, by Ted McCord, will live in your memory as some of the finest moments of film in history. The Max Steiner score is brilliant. The dialog, adapted from Traven's novel by Huston, is all quotable and you'll want to watch it several times to appreciate all the rapid fire exchanges between the various characters. You won't want to miss Treasure of the Sierra Madre!
The Warner Bros. Two Disc Special Edition DVD contains a pristine copy of the much acclaimed movie, a radio broadcast featuring Humphrey Bogart and Walter Huston recreating their screen roles, a biography of Director John Huston hosted by Robert Mitchum, a documentary of how the film was made, a couple of Warner Bros. cartoons, short subjects, a commentary by author Eric Lax, and just too many more extras to tell. This is really a worthwhile DVD for your collection!
Also recommended for your viewing pleasure are the Humphrey Bogart classics:
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