The Maltese Falcon (DVD, 2006, 3-Disc Set, Special Edition)

In what is claimed to be the first film noir, Dashiell Hammett's story is brought to the screen with so many twists and turns as well as red herrings that you will have to view it several times to understand what is going on.

One thing that we know for sure is this: In the 1500's a bejeweled statue of a falcon was sent as tribute to King Charles of Spain by the Knights Templar of Malta as a tribute. It was stolen by pirates and has been missing ever since until this movie.

There are at least 3 sets of people looking for this fortune in San Francisco.

Mrs. Brigid O'Shaunessy (Mary Astor), who says that she saw the falcon in Hong Kong, when it was shipped to San Francisco by her boss, Mr. Thursby. He is mysteriously murdered as well as Captain Jacoby of the La Paloma ship, which was burned down in the harbor.

Joel Cairo (Peter Lorre) was originally part of Mrs. O'Shaunnessy's team but greedily broke away so that he could have it all. He certainly looks the sinister part, and his accent is mesmerizing.

Kaspar Gutman (Sydney Greenstreet) was the real instigator of trouble as he has mercilessly searched the globe with his hitman Wilmar Cook to procure the falcon. He lost sight of it in Hong Kong but was on the trail again in San Francisco.

Sorting all of this out is Sam Spade (Humphrey Bogart), Hammett's famous fictional private detective. In the middle of all this he falls in love with Mrs. O'Shaunessy even though she is a confessed liar and is guilty of murder and greed as well. And then he turns her in to the police for one of the murders.

This is a true mess of a movie but was an instant hit and still is. The one thing that bothers me is how could Sam Spade claim that he loves a woman who is a known liar and murderer. He tells her that he will wait the 20 years for her to go to prison for murder unless she hits the gallows.

This movie was nominated for 3 Academy Awards in 1941: Best Picture, Sydney Greenstreet for Best Supporting Actor, and John Huston for Best Screenplay. It won none.

The last line of the movie sums it up. "This is the stuff that dreams are made of."

This classic Warner Brothers film is in a 3-disc format that at least attempts to pay adequate homage to one of the greatest film noir classics of all times. Humphrey Bogart stars as Dashiell Hammett's private eye Sam Spade, with a stirling cast which includes Peter Lorre, Sidney Greenstreet, and Mary Astor. This 1941 film was director John Huston's debut and is considered the role that made Bogart a major star. This deluxe 178 minute format includes earlier versions of the film, documentary features, and other goodies that will please the true film buff. This one should be on your Hollywood short list of greats.

John Huston (director/screen writer) and Humphry Bogart suceed in protraying Sam Spade as a human being with intelligence and emotions. Their magic pulls the viewer into the character that is Sam Spade. They make you feel that this is the way you would behave if you were him and that smart. All other (supporting) actors are equally good and effective. This is not your typical car crashing, everything exploding action film, so 20-something mentality need not apply. This one tickles your cerebral side and I'm buying it.

This edition has a fine rendering of the film and TMF is a classic detective story with some noir stylings. Bogart is Bogart and an inspiration for so much of film's detective figure, iconic is the word. Fine acting all around too. The period oozes Classic Style in clothing, interior design, cars and the city in general. Some terrific detecting and swell twists here and there.

Sam Spade is on the case.

Love this movie. I would watch anything with Humphrey Bogart but, this movie is one of his greatest ever! I will watch it over and over. To see him unravel the mystery and as always deal with everyone from the femme fatale to peter lorre is just extra. My entire family loves this movie. It will be a treasured part of our dvd library from now on.