One of the greatest and most enjoyable films I have seen. Bogart as Sam Spade is truly marvelous. Spade is sardonic, brave, devilish, knowing, a true character and possibly the most riveting on screen presence of all time.
The plot is so engaging and inventive and the dialog so witty and sparky that I was welling up through sheer joy at the proceedings. It is also very moving in the standard sense.
The noire-ish atmosphere is striking but not over done and every scene is framed beautifully and meticulously thought out. It is as tight a film as any thriller and puts most modern drama films to shame. I mean even the fight scenes are terrific. When Spade slaps around people it looks as if they really are getting a serious beating from a pro. The sound of the punching is not over the top like in some older films. It is as real as I've seen on film and I felt I was watching a film that was way ahead of it's time in that sense.
I can't say enough good things about this picture. They almost certainly don't make 'em like this any more, and that's coming from a 27 year old who does like his occasional modern blockbuster.
I have been banging on about this to all my family and friends and now it's your turn :) WATCH IT !!!!!!!
The plot is so engaging and inventive and the dialog so witty and sparky that I was welling up through sheer joy at the proceedings. It is also very moving in the standard sense.
The noire-ish atmosphere is striking but not over done and every scene is framed beautifully and meticulously thought out. It is as tight a film as any thriller and puts most modern drama films to shame. I mean even the fight scenes are terrific. When Spade slaps around people it looks as if they really are getting a serious beating from a pro. The sound of the punching is not over the top like in some older films. It is as real as I've seen on film and I felt I was watching a film that was way ahead of it's time in that sense.
I can't say enough good things about this picture. They almost certainly don't make 'em like this any more, and that's coming from a 27 year old who does like his occasional modern blockbuster.
I have been banging on about this to all my family and friends and now it's your turn :) WATCH IT !!!!!!!
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