Review of The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (1948) by I Don't Know W — 23 Jul 2011
Humphrey Bogart, Walter Huston, and Tim Holt really make The Treasure of the Sierra Madre an amazing adventure/character piece. In the beginning Howard explains that gold changes a man. At first he will say "let's go for $10,000 and stop" but when he gets it he will want $25,000, then $50,000, then $100,000.
Dobbs says that would never happen to him. He just wants enough money to live. He trusts his buddy Curtin with everything. When they decide to go in on the trip he says he will pay for it all, no problems now that he has the winning ticket for $200.
The gem of the film is Bogie's transformation as the trip goes further. We find out he's not quite as tough as he makes himself out to be. Same goes for Curtin. But when they find the treasure they are ready to work their butts off for the money, but Dobbs starts to question Curtin and Howard's integrity.
The beginning of the film is filled with comedy, and as it goes further there is more of a tense feeling in the air. You really see how crazy Dobbs has gone when Cody follows Curtin back from town and he decides right away that the best way to get rid of him is to kill him.
John Huston created a masterpiece. Again, not able to show everything he wants to with the violence, but still getting his point across, Huston creates an exciting western. Howard is hilarious with his laugh.
He is the most human of them all, while Curtin is the saint-like character, and Dobbs delves into the evil side. Loved every second of it.
This review of The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (1948) was written by I Don't Know W on 23 Jul 2011.
The Treasure of the Sierra Madre has generally received very positive reviews.
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