The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (1948) - No Badges Needed to Enter -

[Dust Devil]

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0040897/


I don't know how is it even possible this movie doesn't have a topic of his own, maybe because some think it's not a Western, but no worries, we'll fix that right away.

Two words - Walter Huston. There are many many things in this movie that are worth mentioning when discussing why is the bittersweet TTOTSM a masterpiece, but Walter Huston's role as the old ''mighty wise and a tad crazy'' Howard is comparable to only a few others in the history of cinema. I also think all the other actors that worked on this picture really delivered their best for John Huston, who knew exactly what to do with each of them. Maybe not a full-blown Western, but a fantastic moral adventure sharing with it many elements certainly.


9/10

[cigar joe]

Oh I'd say its a 10/10, we've discussed it before for sure under numerous topics. Its one of the greatest Adventure films ever. Most would question that its a Western, I don't, its sort of another "End of the West Western" Adventure flick hybrid a bookend to the Zapata Westerns. It takes place just after the end of the Mexican Revolution,  just 3 years after Pancho Villa was assassinated. Once they leave Tampico they basically go back in time for all intents and purposes.

[Dust Devil]

Oh I'd say its a 10/10, we've discussed it before for sure under numerous topics. Its one of the greatest Adventure films ever. Most would question that its a Western, I don't, its sort of another "End of the West Western" Adventure flick hybrid a bookend to the Zapata Westerns. It takes place just after the end of the Mexican Revolution,  just 3 years after Pancho Villa was assassinated. Once they leave Tampico they basically go back in time for all intents and purposes.

There has been mention of it before from topic to topic, but I thought it deserves one of its own.

I agree with you it should be considered a W, and particularly with the part in bold. That's why I'm open towards the category called ''Modern Western''. Now, I'm not saying there are many movies that fit in, but for some, as TTOTSM, seems as the category has been tailor-made.

When they leave Tampico for the mountains, those 10-20 years of difference mean literally nothing. The rural Mexico of the 1920s (and even a few decades later), with the bandits, Federales, misery, poor peasants, etc., apart from the slightly different scenery isn't that much different from the American Old West, if at all.

P.S. I was tempted to give it a 9, but you know I'm very chary with ratings

[The Firecracker]

I'm with Joe. Somewhat of a western and certainly a perfect film.

10/10 for me.

Sahara is the only equal in Bogart's catalogue.

[O'Cangaceiro]

Oh I'd say its a 10/10....

Ditto.

[Dust Devil]

I'm glad we agree it should be considered a W.

[T.H.]

I'm with Joe. Somewhat of a western and certainly a perfect film.

10/10 for me.

Sahara is the only equal in Bogart's catalogue.

I have probably seen over 25 Bogart moves, at least 20, but haven't seen Sahara. I guess I'll check that out, but I think In a Lonely Place is the greatest thing he's ever done.

[Cusser]

Sierre Madre was probably the best film to show "greed" until GBU.  Yeah, Alfonso Bedoya was like a predessor to Tuco in some ways.  When Huston tells Holt he should go to Texas to see the widow, always brings a tear to my eye. 

This is a true classic, even though may not really be a "western".  This film is a true part of film istory.  Today's audiences would likely avoid because not in color, and 126 minutes.  Of course in GBU it's 2.5 hours until they finally find the money, and look what happens after 2:15 hours !!!.  Look for young Robert Blake as the seller of the lottery ticket.

[Amaze]

Finally saw this a few weeks ago. Been meaning to watch it for years just never got around to it.
I think Walter Huston was superb, what a character!
For me he made the movie worthwhile. Bogart was ok but his character was a scumbag and the way he talks really annoys me.
The only real flaw I think was how Bogart's character almost literally went crazy overnight, seemingly forgetting that his partner saved his life the day before.

Will definitely watch this again in the future.

[Cusser]

The only real flaw I think was how Bogart's character almost literally went crazy overnight, seemingly forgetting that his partner saved his life the day before.

You sure it was "the day before" ?  In GBU I figure Tuco tracked Blondie for several weeks, maybe more, before finding him at that hotel.  Then several more weeks, maybe more, before finding him with Shorty Larson.   Stuff like that; just because they don't show all the days just digging out the gold in "Sierra Madre", doesn't mean they weren't there a long time.

[stanton]

For me this is not a western.

For me it belongs to the most overrated films ever (if we are talking of famous classics). Too much studio bound sets, too much sentimentality (well comparatively), Bogart is not very convincing in the latter part of the film, Tim Holt is not good and I don't like the ending with the gold dust. But Walter Huston is great as always. A solid 6/10

John Huston made much better films, and Bogart also.

[Amaze]

You might be right Cusser. It's still not done in a convincing way though.

There were some sets used Stanton but as far as I know the majority of the movie was shot in Mexico.

[Dust Devil]

I thought the sets and the outdoor locations blended well, the fact that the movie was shot in b/w probably helped this a lot.

[dave jenkins]

Blu-ray! http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film/dvdcompare/treasure-sierra.htm

[Dust Devil]

Are you getting it?