Notes for The Treasure Of The Sierra Madre

Film: The Treasure Of The Sierra Madre

Year Of Release: 1948

Director: John Huston

Notes from viewing number 1 (09.10.2021)

Rating: 10/10

- When talking the amazing duo that is John Huston and Humphrey Bogart, most would pick The Maltese Falcon, but for me, The Treasure Of The Sierra Madre is the better choice. It is Huston's finest achievement as a director, and Bogart's finest turn.

- Sierra Madre is known as a film about greed, but for me, it's just as much a film about money. We need money, as whether you like it or not, it is one of the things that keeps our society running and under control. But the problem with money is that some people have too much while others have too little. That's what Sierra Madre is about.

- This is Bogart's best role. Yes, better than The Maltese Falcon and Casablanca. He breaks out of his usual casting as a heroic badass by playing a greedy and pathetic douchebag. His descent into madness is riveting, and there is always a quiet intensity in his eyes. Great performance.

- Another person who gives an amazing performance is Walter Huston, director John Huston's father. It's an energetic performance with loads of charisma, but also emotional depth. He won an Academy Award, and a well-deserved one at that.

- The film-noir inspired cinematography perfectly fits its themes of madness and betrayal, and is most effective in how it portrays the constant paranoia, as it feels like anything can creep out of the shadows.

- The scene where they read Cody's letter from his wife after his death, is the emotional high point, and a really devastating scene.

- The scene where Howard helps the ill little boy is also an emotional high point, and the cinematography of the scene is maybe the best of Huston's entire career.

- Sierra Madre's influence can be seen everywhere. Most notably is Paul Thomas Anderson's 2007 masterpiece There Will Be Blood, which follows an oilman who ascends the money ladder, but who descends the mental ladder.

- The scene where Dobbs shoots Curtis is amazing. The shadowy cinematography is pushed to it's extreme to show the shadows of Dobbs' mind, and that shot of the fire eating up Dobbs' is harrowing.

- All in all, it's a masterpiece. A big surprise for me. This is simply one of the great American films.