Of Gold and Madness

The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (1948)-A pair of Americans find themselves down to their last dime. When everything else fails them, they hear a story from an old man about gold mining in Mexico. The lure of treasure in those mountains will bring them the hope to continue, but it may also bring madness.

Directed by John Huston

Starring Humphrey Bogart, Walter Huston, Tim Holt

Why I Liked It – What’s not to like? Brilliant in every aspect.

This movie offers something for everyone. Movie fans will love the iconic direction of John Ford and the rough and tumble characterizations of the main trio. Mystery fans get a sniff with the source material coming from the mysterious writer B. Craven. If you’re into psychological stories, the slow descent in madness by Dobbs is one of Bogart’s signature roles. There’s even a cameo by a young actor who grew up to both fame and infamy. Robert Blake started in the “Our Gang” movies, and became a television star in the ‘70s in the “Baretta” series. It even comes with one of the top movie quotes of all time.

When Bogart’s greatest roles are listed, this one is always near the top. As brilliant as he is, it’s not an all Bogart effort. Dobbs (Bogart), Howard (Walter Huston), and Curtin (Tim Holt) form an uneasy alliance in search of wealth. Their bond will be tested again and again. The strand that connects growing ever more frayed. Tim Holt is not well known today, but was a familiar face in cowboy movies. His character, Curtin provides a quiet counterbalance to Hobbs increasing greed and paranoia. The third point of the triangle is eccentric old miner, Howard, played to Oscar winning perfection by director John Huston’s father, Walter. Huston the elder had reservations about the role, especially when his son told him to play it without his dentures in! The result was a triple Oscar winning (Best Director, Best Supporting Actor and Best Screenplay) masterpiece. It was nominated for Best Picture but was beaten out by Laurence Olivier’s “Hamlet”!

There’s a lot for Dobbs to worry about. Will his partners do him in for his gold? What about the Mexican bandits that keep nosing around their mine? Plenty of people swirl around him who would put a bullet in him for a fraction of that money. The other driving force is his increasing greed. A question that is all too familiar today is at the heart of this movie. What is enough? Dobbs’ goal is modest at the start, enough money for a comfortable life. Is that enough? Howard knows the look all too well, and knows that he may be the weak link in the whole scenario.

There’s a reason this movie has kept its place among the greatest movies ever made. The story and the performances stand up very well.

You can stream “The Treasure of the Sierra Madre” on Tubi, YouTube, Google TV, Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, and Fandango at Home

Rating – ***** Highest Recommendation