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The Maltese Falcon
1941 100 min United States of America 12+
★8.6
Mystery, Crime, Thriller
Director: John Huston
🎭 Based on
«The Maltese Falcon»
byDashiell Hammett
Trailers
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Description
A private detective takes on a case that involves him with three eccentric criminals, a beautiful liar, and their quest for a priceless statuette.
Budget:
$375,000
US Gross:
$18,180
Worldwide:
$1.77M
Starring
Humphrey Bogart
Actor
Mary Astor
Actor
Gladys George
Actor
Awards
Academy Awards 1942
— Best Picture
Academy Awards 1942
— Best Adapted Screenplay
Academy Awards 1942
— Best Supporting Actor
Key opinion
The Maltese Falcon is widely regarded as a foundational masterpiece of film noir, celebrated for establishing the genre's archetypal cynical detective and morally ambiguous atmosphere. While its legendary status and strong performances are near-universally praised, some viewers find the plot's pacing inconsistent or the central romantic entanglement unconvincing.
| Acting | Humphrey Bogart’s iconic portrayal of the cool, cynical, and morally complex Sam Spade serves as the film's definitive anchor. | |
| Direction | John Huston’s debut direction and the sharp, witty screenplay successfully create a claustrophobic and atmospheric blueprint for the film noir genre. | |
| Acting | The supporting ensemble, particularly Peter Lorre and Sydney Greenstreet, delivers memorable, deviously charming performances that elevate the material. | |
| Cinematography | Atmospheric cinematography, characterized by evocative shadowy angles and distorted perspectives, effectively heightens the film's sense of moral darkness. | |
| Pacing | Opinions on the narrative pace are divided; some critics admire the brisk, intelligent mystery, while others find sections of the film to be sluggish or dry. | |
| Emotion | The romantic connection between Spade and O’Shaughnessey is a point of contention, with some viewers finding it unconvincing and lacking emotional weight. | |
| Ending | While many praise the plot’s intricate layers and subversion of detective tropes, some viewers find the resolution rushed or the mystery overly complicated. |