Synopsis
A private detective takes on a case that involves him with three eccentric criminals, a beautiful liar, and their quest for a priceless statuette.
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Cast
- Humphrey BogartSamuel Spade
- Mary AstorBrigid O'Shaughnessy
- Gladys GeorgeIva Archer
- Peter LorreJoel Cairo
- Barton MacLaneLt. of Detectives Dundy
- Lee PatrickEffie Perine
- Sydney GreenstreetKasper Gutman
- Ward BondDet. Tom Polhaus
- Jerome CowanMiles Archer
- Elisha Cook Jr.Wilmer Cook
Recommendations
- 100
Chicago Sun-Times
The movie is essentially a series of conversations punctuated by brief, violent interludes. It's all style. It isn't violence or chases, but the way the actors look, move, speak and embody their characters. - 100
Empire
The Maltese Falcon is an unassailable triumph of script, casting, direction and editing. - 100
The Guardian
The film that brought the detective movie into the modern world, complete with novel film-noir techniques (shadows, low-angled shots, anti-heroes and duplicitous dames) and assembled one of the most enjoyable casts ever to play off each other. - 100
The New York Times
It's the slickest exercise in cerebration that has hit the screen in many months, and it is also one of the most compelling nervous-laughter provokers yet. - 100
The Hollywood Reporter
On a number of accounts it is distinguished celluloid entertainment, but it is of great interest to the trade because it reveals, in startling terms, the unheralded talent of topflight scenarist, John Huston, who, in the dual capacity of writer and director of this picture, is now entitled to take his place among the most important creative artists in the industry. - 100
Variety
This is one of the best examples of actionful and suspenseful melodramatic story telling in cinematic form. Unfolding a most intriguing and entertaining murder mystery, picture displays outstanding excellence in writing, direction, acting and editing--combining in overall as a prize package of entertainment for widest audience appeal. - 100
TV Guide Magazine
A stunning directorial debut from screenwriter John Huston. - 90
The New Republic
The Maltese Falcon is the first crime melodrama with finish, speed and bang to come along in what seems ages, and since its pattern is one of the best things Hollywood does, we have been missing it.
