Review of The Maltese Falcon (1941) by Nancy C — 20 Feb 2011

Bogie, can you go wrong with your films? Seriously though, every Bogart film I've reviewed so far have been fantastic. And this one is no exception. The Maltese Falcon is a beautifully crafted film with magnificent acting from its two leads, a great atmosphere, and a story that will keep you stuck to your seat.

For those who may not know, The Maltese Falcon is actually a remake of the original Maltese Falcon that was filmed in the 1930's. Not trying to spoil anything, but this one is phenomenally better. Humphrey Bogart stars as Sam Spade, a private eye who works with his partner as the duo Spade and Archer. When Archer is mysteriously murdered as well as the man they're both trying to take to justice, Spade is caught in a web of mystery, betrayal, a mysterious and beautiful woman (the lovely Mary Astor), and "the black figure of a bird" known as The Maltese Falcon.

I'm not going to give much away since I truly believe that to appreciate this film you need to see it for yourself. The movie is film noir, so this may or may not turn off some viewers. It has plenty of twists and turns, but not too many to confuse the viewer. Of course, Humphrey Bogart in the lead is fantastic. Even with its age (the film is now 70 years old), it maintains an atmosphere that modern films seem to have trouble keeping.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, see The Maltese Falcon. It's a brilliant movie with a brilliant cast. Even if you're not a fan of film noir, I guarantee you'll enjoy The Maltese Falcon. (Real rating: 100%).