--- title: "The Maltese Falcon: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/the-maltese-falcon/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/the-maltese-falcon" critics_score: 88 critics_reviews: 11 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # The Maltese Falcon (1941): what the critics said Critics' score 88 from 11 reviews: 11 positive, 0 mixed, 0 negative. The consensus is firmly positive: all eleven reviews admire The Maltese Falcon, with praise clustering around John Huston’s direction, the sharp dialogue and Humphrey Bogart’s performance as Sam Spade. Critics repeatedly pick out Bogart’s toughness and cynicism, while finding enough nuance to make the detective more than a collection of mannerisms. The supporting cast also draws broad approval, particularly Sydney Greenstreet, Peter Lorre and Mary Astor. Many reviews treat the film as a formative noir, pointing to its claustrophobic atmosphere, moral darkness and attention to character. The differences are chiefly matters of enthusiasm rather than substantial disagreement. Most critics find the intricate plotting and controlled style enduringly effective; reservations are scarce. Slant Magazine offers the clearest qualification, admiring Bogart and Huston’s handling of actors and dialogue but finding the film constrained by rigid studio-noir conventions. Even that assessment remains positive, leaving a strongly favourable spread with one noticeably cooler response. ## The Times — Kevin Maher Rating ★★★★★. 17 September 2021. The review calls it one of Humphrey Bogart's two best films and a landmark crime tale that has not aged, highlighting the femme fatales, mobsters, rapid-fire dialogue, and John Huston's direction from the Dashiell Hammett novel. [Read the review](https://www.thetimes.com/culture/film/article/the-maltese-falcon-1941-review-humphrey-bogart-at-his-best-in-dazzling-crime-tale-vfx8lfl5x) ## RogerEbert.com — Roger Ebert Fi1m's normalised score 95/100 (inferred from the text). 13 May 2001. The critic hails the film as a landmark that defined Bogart's persona, launched Huston's directing career, introduced Greenstreet, and helped birth film noir. He singles out the sharp character focus and stylistic precision, especially in long takes and the portrayal of the cold, code-bound Sam Spade. [Read the review](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/great-movie-the-maltese-falcon-1941) ## Empire — William Thomas Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 1 January 2000. The critic calls the film an unassailable triumph and arguably the finest remake ever made, praising its endlessly rewatchable blend of intricate plotting, witty dialogue and ensemble cast that defined film noir. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/maltese-falcon-review/) ## The Guardian — Peter Bradshaw Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 17 September 2021. The critic praises John Huston's adaptation for its dreamlike tension and Humphrey Bogart's dark, steely, cynical performance as Sam Spade at the heart of the story. They single out the greatest MacGuffin and the film's disproof of ideas about detective stories relying on guns. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2021/sep/17/the-maltese-falcon-review-humphrey-bogart-john-huston) ## Time Out — TM Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 10 September 2012. Huston's directorial debut showcases his signature mocking view of greed and delight in eccentric characters, establishing Bogart as the quintessential wise-cracking private eye Sam Spade alongside memorable turns from Lorre, Greenstreet and others. It stands out as a prototype film noir through its claustrophobic atmosphere of betrayal and moral darkness. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/the-maltese-falcon) ## Variety — Walt. Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 30 September 1941. The critic deems it one of the best examples of actionful and suspenseful melodramatic storytelling, with outstanding excellence in writing, direction, acting and editing. It singles out Bogart's standout performance and Greenstreet's impressive screen debut as major assets. [Read the review](https://variety.com/1941/film/reviews/the-maltese-falcon-2-1200413694/) ## The Hollywood Reporter Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 3 October 2016. The film is distinguished celluloid entertainment and one of the most profitable and talked-about pictures of the year, revealing the unheralded talent of writer-director John Huston. The airtight story is always clear, with natural dialogue, intricate direction, and standout performances from Humphrey Bogart and Mary Astor. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/maltese-falcon-review-1941-movie-932514/) ## The New York Times — Bosley Crowther Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 4 October 1941. The review calls it the best mystery thriller of the year and praises young Huston's promise as a director. It singles out the excellent revelation of character through Bogart's shrewd, tough detective and the vivid supporting performances. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/1941/10/04/archives/the-maltese-falcon-a-fast-mysterythriller-with-quality-and-charm-at.html) ## Slant Magazine Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 1 April 2023. Huston's debut is an intelligently made and commendable first feature that sets the pitch for his career, built on a nuanced Bogart performance, though it remains a rigid studio noir rather than one of his great triumphs. It excels as a starting point for viewing his literary adaptations and relationship with actors and dialogue. [Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/dvd/the-maltese-falcon-4k-uhd-review-john-huston/) ## Collider — Rob Vaux Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 4 October 2010. The critic calls the film the quintessential detective story and credits John Huston with ushering in the noir era through a seamy adaptation of Hammett's novel. He praises the outstanding cast, period dialogue, and the way its tropes set the standard for countless later gumshoe tales. [Read the review](https://collider.com/the-maltese-falcon-blu-ray-review-the-treasure-of-the-sierra-madre-blu-ray-review/) ## Eye for Film — Robert Munro Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 19 August 2011. The review praises the film as one of the earliest and best examples of Hollywood noir, highlighting its lean direction, sharp dialogue, and Bogart's commanding performance as the cynical detective Sam Spade. It singles out the elegant camera work and the strong ensemble cast, especially the memorable turns by Peter Lorre, Mary Astor, and Sydney Greenstreet, as elements that make the film timeless. [Read the review](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/the-maltese-falcon-film-review-by-robert-munro) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/the-maltese-falcon.md