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Video: Full frame
Region: Free
This third screen version of Dashiell Hammett's novel is a film of firsts: John Huston's directorial debut, rotund 62-year-old Sydney Greenstreet's screen debut, film history's first film noir and Bogart's breakthrough role after years as a Warner contract player. When George Raft refused to work with a first-time director, Bogart took on the role of Spade - and launched the most acclaimed period of his career.
An all-star cast (including Greenstreet, Mary Astor, Peter Lorre and Elisha Cook Jr.) join Bogart in this crisply written sizzler that placed in the top quarter of the American Film Institute's 100 Greatest American Films list. Many say it's the best detective drama ever. Each time you see it, you'll find it hard to disagree.
Extras:
Commentary by Bogart biographer Eric Lax
Featurette The Maltese Falcon: One Magnificent Bird
Breakdowns of 1941: Studio blooper reel makeup tests
Becoming Attractions: The Trailers of Humphrey Bogart
Warner Night at the Movies 1941 short subjects gallery: Newsreel, musical short The Gay Parisian, 2 classic cartoons: Hiawatha's Rabbit Hunt and Meet John Doughboy
Trailers of This Movie, 1941's Sergeant York and 1936's previous Falcon movie adaptation Satan Met a Lady
Audio-only bonus: 3 radio show adaptations--two featuring the movie's original stars, plus another starring Edward G. Robinson
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