The Maltese Falcon
Making lists is an activity moviegoers are fond of. Every year, the same ritual: compilation of the ten best films, with comparative analyses, debates, heated discussions. But what about the ultimate list of the most outstanding films in the history of cinema? That is to say, those films that must be seen, those that have forever transformed the art of cinema, but also our way of seeing a culture, of understanding the world as well as our own lives? This program aims to tackle this challenge with nearly eighty films, produced between 1916 and 1960, while waiting for your lists!
While investigating the death of his colleague, a private detective uncovers a series of murders that lead him to a valuable falcon statuette, coveted by unscrupulous individuals. This classic film noir, which was John Huston's first directorial effort, gave Bogart's career a new twist.
John Huston
Born in 1906 in Missouri, John Huston was the only son of journalist Rhea Gore and Canadian-born actor Walter Huston. He quickly dropped out of school to pursue a career as a boxer, before trying his hand at acting following his father's footsteps. Over the following years, he spent extended periods of time in Mexico and Europe while starting to write. Upon his arrival in Hollywood, he penned screenplays for William Wyler, Raoul Walsh and Howard Hawks, among others, before transitioning to directing films in 1941 with The Maltese Falcon, which was an immediate success. During World War II, he shot documentaries while serving in the military. The major works he directed after the war allowed him to establish himself as a leading director, while also pursuing an acting career. Until the 1980s, he built a diverse and unpredictable body of work, mirroring his passionate life, divided between cinema, painting, horses, the United States, Ireland and Mexico.
Explore
