Review of The Maltese Falcon (1941) by Matt M — 05 Jun 2013

The Maltese Falcon is one of those films with a legacy and reputation that speaks for itself. Historically speaking, this film is often credited as being the first perfect blend of suspenseful thriller with romantic melodrama, a successful mixture which would flourish for over a decade after its release in a genre commonly known as film Noir.

Its seemingly labyrinthine and complicated story could have tangled easily under someone else's direction, which makes the fact that this was John Huston's first directorial effort even more remarkable, and indeed one of the finest cinematic debuts of all time.

The story unfolds great suspense and mystery with a natural flow, and the production is enriched by some supreme camera work and photography. The Maltese Falcon also stands as one of the best performances by its star Humphrey Bogart, perhaps the most iconic personality of film noir.

Here, he plays perhaps the most cynical of his characters, torn between justice and love, particularly in the film's intense ending.