Two Bums Dobbs (Humphrey Bogart) and Curtin (Tim Holt), are just looking to make money or a score, because times are rough for both of them. Luck begins to change for both of them when they both stumble upon seasoned and run down prospector, Howard (Walter Huston). They all form a group to go to Mexico and head to the treacherous Sierra Madre mountains to find gold and wealth beyond their wildest dreams. Even though the gold is plentiful in the mountains and they find it, selfishness, greed, and cabin fever, and paranoia start to kick in. None of them can trust each other. As well as the danger of Bandolero’s, (bandits) searching for people to rob and kill.
This film truly delivers the idea that human instinct kicks in, everyone is greedy and selfish, but how far are you willing to go for gold? This movie directed by John Huston truly shows you a very human element to a western drama. No matter how strong willed you are, gold drives people mad.
The acting is phenomenal. Bogart does a great job as a bum whose only goal is to be rich and he’s not afraid to kill people or destroy his own life in the process to get it. Holt is, in my eyes, the show stealer, of a man who knows that there is gold involved in the outcome and that riches are in his future.
He is not blind to the fact that they have to get it and have to weigh it. He isn’t worried about how much he gets and where he is going to hide it. He shows a more grounded performance to an overall crazy film of betrayal and greed and paranoia, and he knows how to do his job and will do it.
The script to this film is also masterfully crafted to the long lasting quotes that will make you compare what they say to what is happening now. As well as the comedic element that is also present in certain scenes. For example the quote “ Badges we, don’t need no stinking badges”.
Lastly, John Huston does a superb job directing this film– from the glint in Bogart’s eye to the sparkle of the gold– and you feel the very beginning of temptation and the way it drives people mad at the very sight of it and the reminder that the overall theme of this world is powered by greed and paranoia, and that even the best of people lose sight of their family and friends when abundances of cash are involved.
I give this film an overall 9.2 , acting gets 9.5 gold bars, directing gets 9.7 gold bars. Lastly, writing gets 8.5 gold bars. I will see you the next time you want to come to the movies.