I had previously read some spectacular reviews about this film and its accolades include it being ranked number 30 on the AFI greatest American films and it winning 3 Academy awards; I however was not captivated by it.
I do appreciate that the acting and cinematography, in the films time (1948) would have been quite astounding, however nowadays in my opinion it seems quite average. The plot is interesting and there are a few laughs and shocks along the way, but I just never got interested enough. From all the rave reviews I have read I am sure there will be many people disagreeing with me. The one commendation I can make though was the acting, especially Humphrey Bogart who really stood out, especially one scene towards the end. To summarise, the film was average, I recommended it to fans of older films and definitely Humphrey Bogart fans.
A classic adventure story about greed and one of Humphrey Bogart's greatest performances not least because he's completely bonkers here. Set in 1925 and two American drifters Fred C. Dobbs (Bogart) and Curtin (Tim Holt) are down on their luck in Mexico. They come up with a plan to go gold prospecting but knowing nothing about it they join up with Howard (Walter Huston) who has experience and head deep into the Sierra Madre mountains in search of a fortune. Howard has warned them that gold has a way of changing men for the worst and soon distrust begins between the three. But Dobbs soon descends into madness as he increasingly suspects his companions are out to steal his share of the gold they've found. Directed by John Huston, son of Walter, this is the first film that garnered a father & son Oscar as Huston Senior won Best Supporting actor and Huston Junior won Best Director. This is a fantastic, gritty and quite dark story and highlights that there are many classical period films that dealt with some very adult themes. Shot mostly on location this is a great story with three fantastic central performances and it's become a much lauded film and indeed a favourite of Stanley Kubrick, Sam Peckinpah and Steven Spielberg amongst others. A film that every cinephile should make sure they see , it's one that deserves rediscovery by a modern audience.
Badgers? We ain't got no badgers. We don't need no badgers. I don't have to show you any stinkin' badgers!