The Maltese Falcon

Media:	DVD
Directed by:	John Huston
Starring:	Humphrey Bogart, Mary Astor
Release date:	01 June, 2004
List price:	~~$19.97~~
Our price:	$14.98 that is 25% off!

The Maltese Falcon

Average rating: Stars

A Noir Classic

This is one of those must have films for noir buffs. Humphrey Boggart plays detective Sam Spade in a convoluted mystery.

The story is of Sam Spade, PI, who is retained by a mysterious woman to "find her sister". It turns out that she has no interest in a fictional sister and is lying. In doing so, she manages to get Spade's partner killed and get Sam involved in a plot to steal a golden statue of a falcon, Everyone wants it. The mystery woman can't tell the truth and everyone is coming after Spade for a variety of reasons. He coolly deflects all attempts and drops one liners as he goes along.

Boggart turns in a great performance. Peter Lorre and Sydney Greenstreet play to of the thugs and are fun to watch. Mary Astor plays the mystery woman. And does a find job of being irritating. All in all, it's a fun romp on the dark side.

The Maltese Falcon - Humphrey Bogart, Mary Astor

Bogey at his Best

Named one of the 100 Greatest Films of all time by the American Film Institute, this is Bogey's best movie, after Casablanca and The African Queen.

If you are a fan of the cinema, Humphrey Bogart, or Film Noir, this is a must-own. The lines in this thing are classic. Take the following:

Sydney Greenstreet: "Now sir, we'll talk if you like. I'll tell you right out, I'm a man that likes to talk to a man that likes to talk."

I have NO idea what that means, but I like it - and I like liking stuff I like!

Buy this DVD now.

Humphrey Bogart, Mary Astor - The Maltese Falcon

Classic Noir Mystery

Still considered one of the top-notch film noir's of Hollywood, The Maltese Falcon has gained its reputation from its well-balanced cast, "tough guy" mentality, and its succinct story and dialogue.

John Huston's directorial debut, The Maltese Falcon details the story of one Sam Shade (Humphrey Bogart), a private eye who is trying to get to the bottom of the mysterious deaths that have surrounded a rare and priceless bird statue, a statue that everyone seemingly wants to get their hands on. Bogart plays the prototypical anti-hero and cynical detective to perfection and, while there are plenty of clichÃ©s for noir aficionados in the story, the film is not hampered by these. There are plenty moments of intense dialogue between Shade and the two lieutenants who don't trust him, those searching for the statue (The Fat Man, Mr. Cairo), and the woman, Miss Wonderly, who Shade attempts to trust to give him the facts behind the mysterious killings and the statue. Sneering, cynical, and untrustworthy, Shade is by far the most impressive character in the story, and Bogart exemplifies him with his sarcastic smirk, his hearty laugh, his cool demeanor, and his quick temper. What truly makes his performance great is that it is a perfect fit for the novel's version of Sam Shade, and also because he encompasses both good and bad qualities that make him the typical "noir" investigator. Double-crosses, murder, a prized-possession, a femme fetal, mystery: this film has it all.

Also included in the DVD is a segment (hosted by Robert Osborne of Turner Classic Movies) which focuses on the marketing of Bogart films, as well as some theatrical trailers for other Bogart films.