‘You know, the worst ain’t so bad when it finally happens…’
You never really know what you’re going to get with the old Westerns. Some of them still hold up today, some have dated horribly, some are clearly incredible technical achievements but still feel like a slog, and in the middle of that maelstrom is John Huston’s The Treasure of the Sierra Madre, which is a Western in spirit if not by era…
In an economic downturn, three men travel to the Sierra Madre Mountains to search for gold. Dobbs (Humphrey Bogart) is the de facto leader of the group. Curtin (Tim Holt) is a good man in a bad situation. Howard (Walter Huston) is the crazy old prospector who knows the mountains. What starts out as an exciting adventure soon descends into a hellscape of bandits, Indians and greed.
The great thing about this movie is that just when it starts to drag it becomes something else entirely. The first half is almost like a buddy road movie with the three men setting out together on the road to glory and learning a lesson about themselves and each other on the way. While this section follows cinematic convention the star power of Bogart and Walter Huston, plus the excellent use of dialogue, ensures that Huston’s film never becomes stale. The volta at the start of the third act breathes new life into proceedings and also provides the most high-octane moments. When the plot does give way to action, it is expertly staged ensuring that this classic of Hollywood’s Golden Age remains captivating and compelling throughout.
*** Spoilers below ***
The key to the success of this film is the moral uncertainty of the characters. The introduction of fellow traveller Cody (Bruce Bennett) acts as a catalyst for the rest of the prospectors to demonstrate their true colours, and for Dobbs, that colour is jet black. We are so used to Bogart playing the hero that it is jarring when he gives in to his greed here. His subsequent breakdown due to being wracked with guilt gives Bogart a rare chance to spread his wings and confirms Humph as one of the finest actors of his generation. I detested Dobbs by the end. The true sign of a successful heel turn.
The Treasure of the Sierra Madre casts a huge shadow over American cinema. Winner of three Oscars, nestled in the IMDB top 250 and the proud owner of a 100% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, Huston’s magnum opus is a Hollywood classic that actually delivers. A masterpiece.