sierramadre

John Huston’s legendary masterpiece is the story is one Fred C. Dobbs, played by Humphrey
Bogart, who lives as a poor panhandler in a small Mexican village. Destitute and hungry, Dobbs
takes a job rigging a camp with a fellow American named Curtin. When the job is over, their
foreman initially refuses to pay them, until Dobbs and Curtin corner him and beat him to a pulp.

They meet an old prospector in a flophouse named Howard, who spins tales of immense wealth in
the mountains of Sierra Madre. Curtin and Dobbs think making a claim and sifting for gold would
be a good idea, but they have no money. Luckily, a lottery ticket Dobbs purchased wins big and
they find themselves able to set up an expedition to mine for gold. They ask Howard to accompany
them because they know his experience will be invaluable. Howard agrees and they set off into the
hills.

They find a promising spot to mine and after a few days, the gold starts pouring out of the
mountain. Within a few days, they are rich men. However, suspicion, greed, and paranoia begin to
set in, with Dobbs growing increasingly hostile. They split the gold three ways, but Dobbs irrational
behavior continues and threatens to destroy everything. And if things could not get any worse for
the three men, a group of Mexican bandits arrive and threaten to kill them all. Not being one to
spoil films, you will just have to watch the rest for yourself.

“Treasure of the Sierra Madre” is an expertly crafted tale by legendary director John Huston, who
also directed “The Maltese Falcon” with Humphrey Bogart. The story of three men who start out as
friends only to find themselves at odds once gold is in their hands is as compelling as it is
frightening. Rarely was Bogart as brilliant and powerful in his acting craft as he is in this film.
Granted, Bogart was always a wonderful actor, but in this story, audiences are offered a rare
glimpse of him playing a character far removed from the roles he was normally offered, and the
result is truly overpowering.

Dobbs is a greedy, paranoid, almost psychotic ruffian and the story surrounding him is one of
intense character study and realism. During a sequence in which Dobbs attempts to murder Curtin
and thinks he has succeeded, he breaks out into a maniacal laughter that is so real, it will make
you jump even on repeat viewings. Bogart is brilliantly unnerving in this film.

There are no wild chases and escapes in the movie, with the exception of the gunfight between the
bandits and the three men. The power of this movie comes from the intensity of the characters’
actions, reactions, heated dialogue, and weighted silences. It’s more than enough to keep the
viewer interested, and more engaging than any gunfight or explosion I have seen in cinema. This
is a film that achieves real drama and characterization. The intensity of the characters comes out
in their growing paranoia and suspicion. As the gold gets closer and eventually in their possession,
they start to betray each other, or is it all in their heads?

Probably the most memorable quote from this film, immortalized forever years later in Mel Brooks’
“Blazing Saddles,” is uttered by Alfonso Bedoya’s character, Gold Hat, the leader of the Mexican
bandits who yells, “Badges? We ain't got no badges. We don't need no badges. I don't have to
show you any stinking badges!”

“Treasure of the Sierra Madre” is a stellar masterpiece and anyone who appreciates good
filmmaking will love it.