# The Maltese Falcon

> 1941 film by John Huston

**Wikidata**: [Q221462](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q221462)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Maltese_Falcon_(1941_film))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/the-maltese-falcon

## Summary
The Maltese Falcon is a 1941 American film directed by John Huston, based on Dashiell Hammett's 1930 novel of the same name. It stars Humphrey Bogart as private investigator Sam Spade and is widely regarded as a pioneering work in the film noir genre. The film's intricate plot, atmospheric direction, and iconic performances solidified its status as a landmark in American cinema.

## Key Facts
- **Release Date**: October 3, 1941 (New York City), October 18, 1941 (U.S.)
- **Director**: John Huston (debut feature film)
- **Based on**: Dashiell Hammett's novel *The Maltese Falcon* (1930)
- **Starring**: Humphrey Bogart, Mary Astor, Peter Lorre, Sydney Greenstreet
- **Genre**: Film noir, crime, mystery
- **Production Companies**: Warner Bros., The Vitaphone Corporation
- **Country of Origin**: United States
- **Runtime**: 101 minutes
- **Language**: English
- **Budget**: $375,000 (estimated)
- **Box Office**: $354,000 (initial U.S. release)
- **Awards**: Selected for preservation in the National Film Registry (1989)
- **Wikipedia Sitelinks**: 51 language editions
- **Wikidata ID**: Q11424
- **IMDb ID**: tt0033870
- **Rotten Tomatoes Score**: 99% (critics), 97/100 (Metacritic)
- **Related Entities**: 
  - **Film Noir**: A genre/style of dark, cynical crime dramas.
  - **John Huston**: Director known for *The Treasure of the Sierra Madre* and *The African Queen*.
  - **Dashiell Hammett**: Author of the source novel and creator of Sam Spade.
  - **National Film Registry**: U.S. Library of Congress film preservation program.

## FAQs
**What is the significance of *The Maltese Falcon* in film history?**  
It is a seminal film noir that influenced the genre's development, marked John Huston's directorial debut, and established Humphrey Bogart as a leading actor.

**How does the film relate to Dashiell Hammett's novel?**  
The screenplay closely adapts Hammett's 1930 novel, preserving its complex plot and moral ambiguity while enhancing its cinematic potential through Huston's direction.

**Why was the film selected for the National Film Registry?**  
It was deemed "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant" by the U.S. Library of Congress in 1989, recognizing its enduring influence on American cinema.

**What are the film's key themes?**  
It explores greed, betrayal, and moral complexity, hallmarks of both the film noir genre and Hammett's literary style.

**How did the film perform commercially?**  
Despite modest initial box office returns ($354,000), it gained critical acclaim and long-term recognition, contributing to its status as a classic.

## Why It Matters
*The Maltese Falcon* revolutionized American cinema by defining the film noir aesthetic, characterized by its dark visuals, cynical tone, and intricate plotting. It launched John Huston's career and redefined Humphrey Bogart's screen persona, paving the way for his iconic roles in *Casablanca* and *The African Queen*. The film's preservation in the National Film Registry underscores its cultural importance, ensuring its study by filmmakers and scholars as a masterclass in direction, adaptation, and genre storytelling. Its influence extends to literature, with Hammett's novel remaining a cornerstone of crime fiction, and to popular culture, where references to the "Maltese Falcon" symbolize elusive treasure and moral ambiguity.

## Notable For
- **First Major Film Noir**: Established key genre conventions, including shadowy lighting and morally ambiguous characters.
- **John Huston's Directorial Debut**: Launched the career of a legendary filmmaker known for literary adaptations.
- **Humphrey Bogart's Breakthrough Role**: Cemented Bogart's status as a leading man, transitioning him from supporting roles to stardom.
- **Faithful Literary Adaptation**: Demonstrated the potential of complex novels as cinematic material, influencing future adaptations.
- **Cultural Icon**: The "Maltese Falcon" statue itself became a symbol of coveted, often illusory prizes in popular culture.
- **Preservation in the National Film Registry**: Recognized for its historical and aesthetic significance, ensuring its legacy for future generations.

## Body

### Production and Release
- **Director**: John Huston, in his feature film debut, also wrote the screenplay.
- **Release Dates**: Premiered in New York City on October 3, 1941, with a wider U.S. release on October 18, 1941.
- **Studio**: Produced by Warner Bros. and The Vitaphone Corporation, with a budget of $375,000.
- **Box Office**: Earned $354,000 domestically upon initial release, later recognized for its cultural impact over commercial performance.

### Cast and Characters
- **Humphrey Bogart** as **Sam Spade**: A private investigator whose performance redefined his career.
- **Mary Astor** as **Brigid O'Shaughnessy**: A femme fatale whose deceit drives the plot.
- **Peter Lorre** as **Joel Cairo** and **Sydney Greenstreet** as **Kasper Gutman**: Memorable antagonists contributing to the film's tension.

### Genre and Style
- **Film Noir**: A foundational example, featuring high-contrast lighting, voiceover narration, and themes of corruption.
- **Visuals**: Cinematographer Arthur Edeson's use of shadows and low-key lighting created a moody, suspenseful atmosphere.
- **Dialogue**: Huston's screenplay preserved Hammett's sharp, terse dialogue, enhancing the film's realism.

### Legacy and Recognition
- **National Film Registry**: Selected in 1989 for preservation by the U.S. Library of Congress.
- **Awards and Rankings**: Frequently listed among the greatest films of all time, including *AFI's 100 Years...100 Movies* (2007).
- **Cultural Impact**: Influenced neo-noir films and literature, with references in works like *The Big Lebowski* and *Pulp Fiction*.

### Adaptation and Source Material
- **Dashiell Hammett's Novel**: The 1930 book introduced Sam Spade and the "Maltese Falcon" as a coveted artifact.
- **Faithfulness**: Huston's screenplay retained the novel's structure and themes, demonstrating effective literary adaptation techniques.

### Related Entities
- **John Huston**: Directed *The Maltese Falcon* and later classics like *The African Queen* (1951) and *The Man Who Would Be King* (1975).
- **Dashiell Hammett**: Author of the source novel and a pioneer of hard-boiled detective fiction.
- **Film Noir**: A genre characterized by darkness and cynicism, further popularized by films like *Double Indemnity* (1944) and *The Big Sleep* (1946).

### Technical Specifications
- **Runtime**: 101 minutes, edited from Huston's original cut.
- **Language**: Primarily English, with brief sequences in other languages reflecting the characters' diversity.
- **Aspect Ratio**: 1.37:1, standard for films of the era.

### Preservation and Restoration
- **Restoration**: Undergone multiple restorations, including a 2011 Warner Home Video release with enhanced audio and visuals.
- **Availability**: Released on DVD, Blu-ray, and streaming platforms, ensuring accessibility for modern audiences.

### Academic and Critical Analysis
- **Film Studies**: Frequently analyzed for its narrative structure, character development, and genre conventions.
- **Literary Adaptation**: Studied as a model for translating complex novels into compelling screenplays.
- **Historical Context**: Reflects 1940s societal anxieties, including distrust of authority and moral ambiguity post-Depression.

## References

1. Česko-Slovenská filmová databáze
2. The Movie Database
3. [Source](https://www.loc.gov/programs/national-film-preservation-board/film-registry/complete-national-film-registry-listing/)
4. The Maltese Falcon. Rotten Tomatoes
5. IMDb
6. [IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0033870/releaseinfo)
7. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
8. Kinopoisk
9. [Source](https://www.kijkwijzer.nl/films/maltese-falcon/)
10. AlloCiné
11. List of film licenses issued from 1945 to 2020
12. film distribution certificate
13. Online-Filmdatenbank
14. SoundtrackCollector
15. Bechdel Test Movie List
16. mymovies.it
17. [Source](https://ui.eidr.org/view/content?id=10.5240/5C1B-BF08-57C2-B30C-8220-7)
18. [Source](https://www.acmi.net.au/works/82708)
19. Trakt.tv
20. FilmVandaag.nl