Capsule Review: The Treasure Of The Sierra Madre (1948)

While ostensibly a simple morality tale about greed, B. Traven’s novel is faithfully translated with Huston’s typical eye for detail into one of the most entertaining “westerns” ever made. The acting is top notch, with Humphrey Bogart getting back to his roots as a man twisted by greed, and Walter Huston (father of the director) earning a best Supporting Actor Oscar for his portrayal of the wizened prospector Howard. While the eventual erosion of Bogart’s morals is never much in doubt, almost everything else remains fresh and exciting – even the photography which makes great use of the rare (at the time) location shooting.