Based on the novel by B. Traven, The Treasure of the Sierra Madre is the story of two Americans who go to 1920s Mexico with an old-timer to find gold where they would encounter trouble. Written for the screen and directed by John Huston, the film is a look into the world of greed and human nature at its ugliest as well as a look at how a journey can lead to great danger. Starring Humphrey Bogart, Walter Huston, Tim Holt, and Bruce Bennett. The Treasure of the Sierra Madre is an incredible yet eerie film from John Huston.
It’s 1920s Mexico as a man named Dobbs (Humphrey Bogart) is seeking to find some way to survive as he needs money as he and a man named Curtin (Tim Holt) got cheated out of wages that was promised to them for labor work. After meeting an old prospector named Howard (Walter Huston), the three go on a journey to find gold in an old mine in the Mexican mountains as they have to endure all sorts of things while greed eventually seeps in the mind of Dobbs as he become paranoid. The film explores the world of greed and how far one man is willing to keep what he’s found as he has no sense of morals while becomes paranoid thinking that everyone wants his loot while Curtin realizes the danger of greed as he turns to Howard who knows a lot more about what is important.
John Huston’s screenplay explores the dynamics of these three men as they all want some gold in the Mexican mountains yet it is Howard that knows a lot more as he knows where the gold is and what it looks like. The only reason he takes part in the journey is so he can get his cut of what they’ve earned but he knows that gold and money aren’t that important. The Curtin character is a man that just wants what is right as after he’s got his gold, he has ideas for what he wants to do. He and Howard share a bond over what they want as they become good friends while Dobbs becomes more engrossed in his greed where he starts to talk to himself and become paranoid. Notably as the three men encounter a man named Cody (Bruce Bennett) who is also looking for gold as he knows what these men have. Other characters they encounter are a group of bandits led by a man known as Gold Hat (Alfonso Bedoya) who just wants weapons.
The script also has some very stylized dialogue in the way it plays to that development of the characters where Dobbs starts off as a man looking for money to survive but once he comes across with a lot of money. He definitely descends into some form of madness making Curtin and Howard uncomfortable and realizing that Dobbs could do anything. When the appearance of Cody causes more trouble where the result would be tragic. Curtin and Howard become aware of what this man really wanted to do as they become more concerned with doing what is right rather than give in to the gold but Dobbs starts to lose that sense of right and wrong where he becomes selfish. Eventually, the three men would separate though different means but its conclusion would definitely lead to an understanding about humanity where some will survive while others don’t.
Huston’s direction is truly engrossing in the way he explores the dark world of greed in the world of Mexico as many of the film’s exteriors are shot in Mexico with some scenes set at night shot in a studio. Huston’s compositions create some very telling images in the way he explores the relationship of these three men as it starts off in the town of Tampico where Dobbs and Curtin are looking for work. Much of the first act is set in Tampico where Huston uses medium shots and close-ups to play up that world with a few wide shots until the film moves into the Mexican mountains where Huston uses more wide shots to captured the rugged beauty of that world.
One aspect of Huston’s direction that is very interesting is that since the film is set in Mexico, he allows many of Mexicans to actually speak Spanish while the main characters also talk some Spanish without the use of subtitles. Unless the audience understands what the Mexican characters are saying though Howard does some of the translating. Huston knows that he doesn’t need to use subtitles to understand what they’re saying by focusing more on the action as well as some subtle close-ups to establish what is happening. Even as Huston knows what not to use in order to establish a few moments of violence as he also uses some wide shots to capture a world that is unique and also not filled with any complications such as greed. Overall, Huston creates a very captivating yet sensational film about greed and humanity.
Cinematographer Ted D. McCord does fantastic work with the film‘s black-and-white photography from the look of many of the daytime exterior scenes while using available light and such for some of the scenes at night to maintain a sense of darkness that looms in the film. Editor Owen Marks does excellent work with the editing where it is quite straightforward for the most parts though he uses fade-outs to help structure the film while utilizing some rhythmic cuts to play up some of the action and suspense. Art director John Hughes and set decorator Fred M. MacLean do superb work with the set pieces from some of the places in Tampico to some of the other places in the mountains as well as the look of the well near the mines that the men built
The sound work of Robert B. Lee is wonderful for some of the sound effects created from the sound of gunfire to the sound of coyotes and such in the locations set in the desert. The film’s music by Max Steiner is brilliant for its array of orchestral pieces created from some upbeat, playful themes to some more ominous yet suspenseful moments to play up Dobbs’ paranoia.
The film’s cast is amazing as it features some notable appearances from a young Robert Blake as a boy pestering Dobbs to buy lottery tickets, John Huston as a man Dobbs keeps asking for money in Tampico, Barton MacLane as the contractor that cheats Dobbs and Curtin over their wages, and Alfonso Bedoya as the bandit leader who spouts one of the most famous lines in film. Bruce Bennett is terrific as a man named Cody whom Curtin meets in town as he later tries to blackmail the three men into giving him a share of the gold without any trouble. Tim Holt is excellent as Curtin as a man that wants to look for gold for his own reasons as he later becomes aware of how much trouble it brings as he has to deal with the paranoid Dobbs.
Walter Huston is great as the old prospector Howard as a man who knows a lot about getting gold from mines as he also tries to deal with Dobbs’ paranoia where he brings a lot of charm and humor to his character. Finally, there’s Humphrey Bogart in a phenomenal performance as Dobbs as a man who is in need of money to survive in Mexico as he becomes desperate to go find gold with a couple of men only to descend into madness as it’s a very chilling yet mesmerizing performance from the actor.
The Treasure of Sierra Madre is remarkable film from John Huston that features amazing performances from Humphrey Bogart, Tim Holt, and Walter Huston. The film is definitely a very compelling piece into the exploration of humanity as well as the dark world of greed. It’s also a film that explores a world of the West that is very different from American westerns while still having some element of honor. In the end, The Treasure of Sierra Madre is a spectacular film from John Huston.
© thevoid99 2013
Based on the novel by Booth Tarkington, The Magnificent Ambersons is the story about a family who face declining fortunes due to changing times as they also deal with social issues that are happening. Written for the screen, directed, and narrated by Orson Welles. The film explores the dynamics of a family who struggles with new changes as they try to maintain their way of life. Starring Joseph Cotten, Agnes Moorehead, Anne Baxter, Tim Holt, Dolores Costello, and Ray Collins. The Magnificent Ambersons is a captivating drama from Orson Welles.
The film is essentially the story about a family from the early 20th Century who were the darlings of a small town in Indiana only to be affected by changing times when the arrival of the automobile arrive as the fortunes of this unique family start to dwindle. Notably as it revolves around this young man in George Amberson Minafer (Tim Holt) who returns from college to find out that an old family friend in Eugene Morgan (Joseph Cotten) has also returned after a 20-year absence to present the Ambersons his new invention in the automobile. While George would have feelings for Eugene’s daughter Lucy (Anne Baxter), he learns that Eugene and his mother Isabel (Dolores Costello) have had feelings for each other that upsets George and his aunt Fanny (Agnes Moorehead). When George does whatever to stop this from happening yet it would lead to the downfall of the family whose fortunes and reputation were already dwindling.
Orson Welles’ screenplay explores the dynamics of the family as he narrates the film every now and then to give a few moments of exposition to establish who these people are. Notably George Amberson Minafer who arrives as a very spoiled son who the locals hope would get his comeuppance. When George becomes a young adult, he is still a young man with a lot of pride who is instilled about what the Amberson family should be. Yet, he would tease his aunt Fanny while often hanging around with his uncle Jack (Ray Collins) while still being devoted to his family. The arrival of Eugene Morgan would only complicate mattes as George thinks Eugene Morgan is ruining things with this new invention. Yet, the invention would become a major success as it would contribute to changing times.
Though Morgan’s intentions are noble as he wants the Ambersons to be part of his success, George and Fanny each are unsure that Morgan is doing the right thing. Notably as George learns through Jack and Fanny about his mother’s relationship with Eugene and that they were still in love with each other when Isabel married George’s father (Donal Dillaway). Now that George’s father is gone, Isabel and Eugene can renew their love affair yet it hurts George very much as he’s also infatuated with Eugene’s daughter Lucy. It would be his pride for himself and his family that would cause the downfall as he tries to shun Eugene away from his mother only for things to go wrong that led to their downfall.
Welles’ direction is definitely stylish in the way he presents small town Indiana in the 20th Century where the center of this small town is this estate that represents the Ambersons. Through his narration, Welles establishes what kind of family the Ambersons are where even though they are revered by the locals. There is also a bit of discontent in the way young George would have this belief that he owns the town. By the time he returns from college, he’s still that kid of sorts who feels like he is the man of the town as he and his mother are the hosts of this annual lavish party they would have. It’s in this party where Welles would set the stage for everything that would mark the beginning of the end for the Ambersons.
While a lot of the shots are quite straightforward, the mood that Welles puts into the shots add to the dramatic stakes. Notably in some of the exteriors where it features some tracking shots where Welles would follow the camera around the characters as they’re walking in this small town. Still, the direction does have its sense of style in the way Welles would position the actors in some key dramatic moments that occur. Notably in the third act where the downfall of the family finally comes into play through as Welles maintains that air of style that occurs. Yet, it would be followed by an ending that isn’t what Welles had intended as it would be helmed by his assistant director Fred Fleck and editor Robert Wise. Even though the final results are just an idea of a much bigger story Welles wanted to create, the final film version is still an engaging piece about drama and pride.
Cinematographer Stanley Cortez does excellent work with the film‘s black-and-white photography to create moods for some of the film‘s interior scenes while the exteriors are more straightforward. Editor Robert Wise does wonderful work with the editing by taking on some straightforward cuts as well as stylized uses of dissolves and wipes. Production designer Albert S. D’Agostino and set decorator Darrell Silvera do amazing work with the sets from the looks of the car and towns to the lavishness that is the Amberson estate.
Costume designer Edward Stevenson does fantastic work with the costumes that the women wear to create their personalities from the lavishness of Isabel, the more prim look of Fanny, and the more youthful style of Lucy. Sound recorders Bailey Fesler and James G. Stewart do terrific work with the sound to capture the atmosphere of the film‘s party scenes as well as the tense moments in the film such as George‘s dismissal about Eugene‘s idea about the automobile. The film’s music by Bernard Herrmann is superb for its soaring orchestral score to play up some of the melodrama that happens in the film.
The film’s cast is quite stellar for the ensemble that is created as it features notable small roles from Bobby Cooper as the young George, J. Louis Johnson as the Ambersons’ butler Sam, Richard Bennett as the Amberson patriarch Major Amberson, Erskine Sanford as a law clerk who tries to help George in the third act, and Donald Dillaway as George’s ailing father Wilbur. Ray Collins is superb as George’s uncle Jack who tries to figure out what is best for the family while dealing with the chaos that is happening around them. Agnes Moorehead is great as George’s melodramatic aunt Fanny who pines for Eugene Morgan as she tries to help George sway Eugene from Isabel. Anne Baxter is wonderful as Eugene’s daughter Lucy who has feelings for George as she tries to deal with his immaturity. Dolores Costello is radiant as Isabel who deals with the loss of her husband as well as Eugene’s presence in the hopes to find someone to be with only for things to get complicated.
Joseph Cotten is great as Eugene Morgan as a man who wants to show the world his invention as he intrigues the Ambersons while gaining the ire of George over Isabel. Finally, there’s Tim Holt in a marvelous performance as George Amberson Minafer as a young man who is threatened by Morgan’s new rules and ideas as he tries to hold on to his old ways only to succumb to his own selfish pride and immaturity.
The Magnificent Ambersons is an incredible film from Orson Welles. Featuring an outstanding ensemble cast that includes Joseph Cotten, Tim Holt, Agnes Moorehead, Anne Baxter, Dolores Costello, and Ray Collins. It’s a film that explores the world of changing times and people trying to hold on to the old ways. Notably as it also reveals the sense of fear just as the world is about to change in the eyes of a young man. In the end, The Magnificent Ambersons is a remarkable film from Orson Welles.
Orson Welles Films: Citizen Kane - The Stranger (1946 film) - The Lady from Shanghai - Macbeth (1948 film) - Othello (1952 film) - Mr. Arkadin - Touch of Evil - The Trial (1962 film) - Chimes at Midnight - The Immortal Story - F for Fake - Filming Othello – The Other Side of the Wind
Related: Orson Welles: The One-Man Band - The Eyes of Orson Welles - They’ll Love Me When I’m Dead - The Auteurs #69: Orson Welles: Part 1 - Part 2
© thevoid99 2013
