The Maltese Falcon (1941)

Last updated:
October 12, 2024

The Maltese Falcon (1941) is one of the most influential film noirs ever made, directed by John Huston in his directorial debut. Based on Dashiell Hammett’s 1930 novel of the same name, this film stars Humphrey Bogart as the hard-boiled private investigator Sam Spade. With its intricate plot, morally ambiguous characters, and a captivating mystery, The Maltese Falcon is a quintessential example of early American cinema.

Table of Contents

Detailed Summary

Introduction: Sam Spade and the Mysterious Femme Fatale

The story begins with private detective Sam Spade (Humphrey Bogart) and his partner Miles Archer (Jerome Cowan) being hired by the enigmatic Miss Ruth Wonderly, later revealed to be Brigid O’Shaughnessy (Mary Astor). She claims she needs help tracking down her missing sister but is actually involved in a much more complex plot. Archer is quickly killed during the investigation, throwing Spade into a tangled web of deception and danger.

The Maltese Falcon: A Legendary Treasure

The central plot revolves around the search for a priceless artifact, the Maltese Falcon, a jewel-encrusted statuette from the Crusades. Spade is soon drawn into a world of colorful, dangerous characters all after the Falcon, including the effeminate yet menacing Joel Cairo (Peter Lorre) and the rotund, polished Kasper Gutman (Sydney Greenstreet), who are willing to lie, cheat, and kill to get their hands on the treasure.

Unraveling the Web of Deceit

Spade begins to realize that everyone, including Brigid, has been lying to him. His professional ethics and personal curiosity lead him to dig deeper into the mystery. Despite his growing feelings for Brigid, Spade remains suspicious and cautious. Each new character introduces more intrigue, with their own motives for pursuing the Falcon.

The Climactic Confrontation

In a suspenseful final act, all the players, including Cairo and Gutman, converge at Spade’s apartment, where the Falcon finally makes its appearance. Tensions rise as they attempt to outmaneuver one another. Spade’s loyalty, morals, and survival instincts are tested as he navigates a labyrinth of lies, violence, and manipulation.

The Truth About Brigid

Ultimately, Spade uncovers that Brigid is the one who killed Archer. Despite his feelings for her, he turns her over to the police, believing that justice must be served. The Maltese Falcon itself is revealed to be a fake, leaving Gutman and Cairo’s efforts in vain.

Movie Ending

At the end of the movie, after Brigid confesses to killing Archer, Spade sends her off to be arrested, unwilling to let his emotions cloud his judgment. As she’s led away, she pleads with Spade, but he stands firm, delivering one of cinema’s most famous lines about the Falcon: “The stuff that dreams are made of.”

Spade’s final conversation with the police shows that he’s not willing to compromise his integrity, even for love. The final shot is poignant, leaving the audience with a sense of moral ambiguity and the realization that not everyone can be trusted.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

No, The Maltese Falcon does not have a post-credits scene. In 1941, post-credits scenes were not a common feature in films, and the movie ends definitively with Spade’s moral victory over corruption and deceit.

Type of Movie

The Maltese Falcon is a classic film noir, with heavy emphasis on crime, mystery, morally complex characters, and shadowy, suspenseful visuals. Its themes of betrayal, greed, and cynicism define the genre.

Cast

Humphrey Bogart as Sam Spade
Mary Astor as Brigid O’Shaughnessy
Sydney Greenstreet as Kasper Gutman
Peter Lorre as Joel Cairo
Elisha Cook Jr. as Wilmer Cook
Jerome Cowan as Miles Archer

Film Music and Composer

The film’s score was composed by Adolph Deutsch, who delivered a subtle, tension-filled score that perfectly complements the noir atmosphere. The music is sparse and moody, designed to enhance the tension rather than overwhelm it.

Filming Locations

Most of The Maltese Falcon was shot on sound stages at Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank, California. The film’s sets—designed with dim lighting, Venetian blinds, and dark, shadowy environments—perfectly embody the noir style. The use of urban backdrops and claustrophobic interiors mirrors the story’s themes of secrecy and deception.

Awards and Nominations

The film was nominated for three Academy Awards:

Best Picture
Best Supporting Actor (Sydney Greenstreet)
Best Adapted Screenplay (John Huston)

Though it didn’t win any Oscars, The Maltese Falcon is now regarded as one of the greatest films of all time.

Behind the Scenes Insights

Director John Huston was making his directorial debut and went on to have an illustrious career.
Humphrey Bogart wasn’t the first choice for Sam Spade; the role was initially offered to George Raft, who turned it down.
The film’s iconic “Maltese Falcon” prop was made of lead and weighed about 45 pounds.
Sydney Greenstreet made his film debut at the age of 61, later becoming a frequent collaborator with Bogart and Lorre.

Inspirations and References

The movie is based on Dashiell Hammett’s novel The Maltese Falcon. Hammett was a pioneer of the hard-boiled detective genre, and his works laid the groundwork for much of what would become the film noir genre. The novel is considered one of the finest examples of detective fiction, and the film remains largely faithful to its source material.

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

No known alternate endings exist for The Maltese Falcon. The film adheres closely to Hammett’s novel and maintains a consistent narrative. However, scenes were trimmed during production to meet the era’s runtime expectations.

Book Adaptations and Differences

The movie sticks closely to Dashiell Hammett’s original novel. The only significant change is some softening of the book’s more explicit violence and innuendo due to the Hays Code (a set of moral guidelines for films in that era). Hammett’s dialogue and plot, however, are preserved almost word-for-word in many places.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

The Introduction of Joel Cairo: His first scene, offering money to search for the Falcon, immediately sets a mysterious and untrustworthy tone.
The Final Confrontation: The group’s tense negotiation over the Falcon in Spade’s apartment is a masterclass in suspense.
Brigid’s Confession: When Brigid finally breaks down and admits to her crimes, it’s an emotionally charged moment where Sam Spade must decide between love and justice.

Iconic Quotes

Sam Spade: “The stuff that dreams are made of.”
Brigid O’Shaughnessy: “I haven’t lived a good life. I’ve been bad, worse than you could know.”
Sam Spade: “When a man’s partner is killed, he’s supposed to do something about it.”

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

Peter Lorre’s signature mannerisms as Cairo, like his habit of playing with his gloves, were improvised and became iconic.
The film’s depiction of 1940s San Francisco includes several recognizable landmarks, grounding the story in a real, gritty urban environment.
Sam Spade’s office door has become a symbol of noir detective films, with its frosted glass and shadowy interior.

Trivia

This was the third adaptation of The Maltese Falcon; previous versions in 1931 and 1936 were less successful.
Humphrey Bogart took a major step toward stardom with his portrayal of Sam Spade, cementing his tough-guy persona.
The film was completed in only eight weeks.

Why Watch?

Watch The Maltese Falcon if you love detective stories, intricate plots, and morally ambiguous characters. Its sharp dialogue, iconic performances, and moody atmosphere make it a must-watch for fans of classic cinema and film noir.

Director’s Other Movies

The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (1948)
The African Queen (1951)
Key Largo (1948)
The Asphalt Jungle (1950)

The Maltese Falcon (1941)

Detailed Summary