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The Maltese Falcon (1941)

1001 Movies to See Before You Die (Schneider, J.S, Smith, I.H)

By Annie KapurPublished 3 years ago 3 min read
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In this article, we will be looking at 2019’s book “1001 Movies to See Before You Die” and going through each film in a random order that I have chosen. We will be looking at what constitutes this film to be on the list and whether I think this film deserves to be here at all. I want to make perfectly clear that I won’t be revealing details from this book such as analyses by film reporters who have written about the film in question, so if you want the book itself you’ll have to buy it. But I will be covering the book’s suggestions on which films should be your top priority. I wouldn’t doubt for a second that everyone reading this article has probably watched many of these movies anyway. But we are just here to have a bit of fun. We’re going to not just look at whether it should be on this list but we’re also going to look at why the film has such a legacy at all. Remember, this is the 2019 version of the book and so, films like “Joker” will not be featured in this book and any film that came out in 2020 (and if we get there, in 2021). So strap in and if you have your own suggestions then don’t hesitate to email me using the address in my bio. Let’s get on with it then.

The Maltese Falcon (1941) dir. by John Huston

One of the greatest film noirs ever made, “The Maltese Falcon” (1941) was directed by the great John Huston, based on the book by brilliant crime author Dashiell Hammett and starring Humphrey Bogart and Mary Astor. In 1989, the film was stored in the National Film Registry in the Library of Congress for being culturally significant to cinematic history. In the American Film Institute’s Top 100 Films, it was rated as 26th in 2001 and was rated the 6th greatest mystery film in their list critiquing the ten classic genres of film. Roger Ebert also wrote it into his “Great Movies” list as one of his personal favourites.

In New York City on October the third, 1941, “The Maltese Falcon” (1941) premiered and then went on to be nominated for multiple Academy Awards. It was also selected as one of the first twenty-five films to be interred in the National Film Registry in the Library of Congress and has since been cited as one of the first major films of film noir.

The film cover s a mysterious legend about a statue in which the main character has to locate who is in possession of it whilst also searching for the man who shot his partner all whilst pulling himself out of a dangerous love affair in which he is trying to help a woman who is terribly out of pocket and has the police searching for her because of circumstances she seems to be completely unaware of. Here’s how the film opens:

“In 1539 the Knight Templars of Malta, paid tribute to Charles V of Spain, by sending him a Golden Falcon encrusted from beak to claw with rarest jewels—but pirates seized the galley carrying this priceless token and the fate of the Maltese Falcon remains a mystery to this day…”

With multiple different subplots going on at the same time, the film keeps you guessing until the very end and even then, you have to work through how you could’ve missed in. With the great acting of Humphrey Bogart and Mary Astor, Peter Lorre and Gladys George you have your senses covered until the very end.

Bosley Crowther, a veteran of the film critic world, called it "the best mystery thriller of the year” upon its release and that a "young Mr. Huston gives promise of becoming one of the smartest directors in the field”. Crowther then adds that when it comes to the basis for the movie it is "the trick which Mr. Huston has pulled is a combination of American ruggedness with the suavity of the English crime school—a blend of mind and muscle—plus a slight touch of pathos” that keeps it going.

So you can tell that this movie is good, even if you haven’t seen it yet. And if you haven’t seen it then please stop reading this and go and watch the film. I promise you will not be disappointed.

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About the Creator

Annie Kapur

190K+ Reads on Vocal.

English Lecturer

🎓Literature & Writing (B.A)

🎓Film & Writing (M.A)

🎓Secondary English Education (PgDipEd)

📍Birmingham, UK

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