The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (1948)

dir: John Huston

Fred C. Dobbs and Bob Curtin, both down on their luck in Tampico, Mexico in 1925, meet up with a grizzled prospector named Howard and decide to join with him in search of gold in the wilds of central Mexico. Through enormous difficulties, they eventually succeed in finding gold, but bandits, the elements, and most especially greed threaten to turn their success into disaster.

Cast:

Humphrey Bogart Fred C. Dobbs
Walter Huston Howard
Tim Holt Bob Curtin
Bruce Bennett James Cody
Barton MacLane Pat McCormick
Alfonso Bedoya Gold Hat
Arturo Soto Rangel Presidente
Manuel Dondé El Jefe
José Torvay Pablo
Margarito Luna Pancho
Robert Blake Mexican Boy Selling Lottery Tickets
Guillermo Calles Mexican Storeowner
Roberto Cañedo Mexican Lieutenant
Spencer Chan Proprietor
Jacqueline Dalya Flashy Girl
Ralph Dunn Flophouse Bum
Ernesto Escoto Mexican Bandit
Pat Flaherty Customer in Bar Who Warns Curtin and Dobbs about Pat McCormick
Martin Garralaga Railroad Conductor
Jack Holt Flophouse Bum
John Huston American in Tampico in White Suit
Francisco Islas Indian
Mario Mancilla Child
Julian Rivero Barber
Ann Sheridan Streetwalker
Valdespino Valdespino Indian
Ildefonso Vega Indian
Harry J. Vejar Bartender
Ignacio Villabajo Mexican Bandit
Clifton Young Flophouse Bum

Tityron wrote about The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (9)

I expected this movie to be rotten to the core with machismo, like so many movies at the time. It is quite the opposite. First there is no woman in it, which is quite remarkable. Then there is no gratuitous violence: the men have to defend themselves but nothing unrealistic for the period. But, more importantly, the main characters are deeply thoughtful, humane and altruistic—even if one of them loses his mind at one point over gold. They often speak words of wisdom, advocating generosity, compassion, [...] Read more

9 stars