Review of The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (1948) by Esteban V — 22 Mar 2008

John Huston's second film as director, and the film in which he staked out the territory that he would make his own in the remainder of his career. Huston was interested in the failings of man. He was not a ladies' director.

He did not make emotion pictures. He made one Bette Davis film, and it was awful. He was a man's man. Even more so than John Ford. Here, his theme is greed, and I doubt it has ever been examined with such unflinching authority or insight.

All of the actors go in with both feet. Bogart is utterly unswerving in his portrayal of mania induced by gold fever. His madness is scarily real. Walter Huston steals every scene he is in, and William Holt provides something like a moral centre, though he too loses touch with right and wrong.

Each step south on the moral compass is laid out for all to see, here. The dialogue is ripe, the story tight, and the shooting memorable and efficient. The final scene is a fitting finale to what has gone before, and ia typical touch of black irony.

Huston is a hero of mine. There was never a better screenwriter, and hardly a better director. His films have an unmistakable personality and character, and many touch greatness. This is one of his best.