Rent The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (1948)

Fantasic acting, average film - The Treasure of the Sierra Madre review by CP Customer

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.

Classic Action/Adventure - The Treasure of the Sierra Madre review by GI

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.

Classic Allegory. - The Treasure of the Sierra Madre review by Steve

Classic meditation on greed which is sometimes credited as a western, but isn't really a genre film. It is set in Mexico in 1925, opening in an unprosperous town where desperate, destitute American drifters congregate and chisel out a few lousy pesos from other crooks. After lucking into a little money, three bums decide to fund an arduous trip to search for gold in the mountains.

When they find it, they become possessed by the mesmeric lure of wealth. The gold distorts them. This is no surprise to the old prospector who has seen it all before (Walter Huston). A younger man (Tim Holt) becomes suspicious and fiercely protective of his good fortune, to the point of murder. But Fred C. Dobbs (Humphrey Bogart) is consumed entirely by the power of greed.

And he becomes violently paranoid. This is a persuasive and intense parable which the locations help make realistic. But it is mainly an actors film. Holt is very good in a more neutral role. Bogart is astonishing as the shifty lowlife who is destroyed by his own moral weakness. Best of all is Walter Huston who is absolutely convincing as a grizzled veteran of both mining, and human frailty.

These have become legendary film characters. It's a hugely unconventional and influential work from John Huston. Unfortunately it didn't find an audience at the time, maybe because people were unsure of what it was. Few films end as bitterly and brutally as this. There are no good guys. It feels as epic and eternal as a a tale from the Old Testament.