Review of The Petrified Forest (1973) by Johannes J — 19 Aug 2010

This is a film that is based on a broadway play, and what I really like about it is the fact that, although it isn't necessarily amazing from a technical standpoint, the plot and the characters are well rounded. The characters are introduced and their inner feelings are brought to the table, making it much more easier to care for them. This is a film that thrives on its fast paced dialogue and it's characters to survive,.

Humphrey Bogart really burns the Screen up as Duke Mantee, and his chemistry with Leslie Howard (who I really never heard or cared for until this movie) is pretty amazing. Character-wise, they are very different in every sense, but there's an inner- understanding between the two. The fact that the actors were able to pull this off not only through dialogue, but body motions as well, is amazing to me. This film is Bogart's breakthrough role and when watching it, I feel it is one of his most personal roles and probably one of his most important and deepest performances i've ever seen of him. I've never been to big on Bogart but I give him props for playing the character of Duke Mantee so well.

The film has a great philosophy to it as well and lots of themes of transitions in time and the weakening of the social structure. It really is worth the watch.