Badges? I don't have to show you any stinking badges!

This line and the film from which it came is so powerful that it has inspired hundreds of copycats, claims of inspiration and punchlines, that the movie in total is often overlooked. Hell, even Mel Brooks stole it for ‘Blazing Saddles’. 1948’s ‘The Treasure of the Sierra Madre’ is a true cinematic masterpiece. From the script to the performances to the emotions produced it is impossible to rave enough about this film. Winner of the Oscar for writing and directing this movie, John Huston created a film that captures the raw emotions of desperation, camaraderie and greed in their strongest forms. A true classic of cinema that you might have missed!

‘The Treasure of the Sierra Madre’ tells the story of two American drifters in Mexico. Humphrey Bogart, in his finest performance ever, and Tim Holt are promised excellent pay for hard work in the desert. Upon completion of the job they are cheated out of their pay. Afraid and desperate, they drown their sorrows in a local tavern. They meet an “old-timer” looking for help in his search for gold. The three of them unite and head to the mountains in a search for riches.

The film follows this search and portrays the litany of emotions our treasure hunters endure. They are united, industrious and upbeat as the travails begin. Things turn darker as the search comes up empty. But the movie becomes truly dark when they find gold! Now jealousy, fear and greed overcome our three compatriots. What becomes of the men, the gold, their future and their very lives is a marvel to behold.

Huston’s script and directing are as good as any film ever made. The dual Oscars show that. His father, Walter Huston, also wins an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. The Academy made a huge mistake in not even nominating Bogart for his fantastic portrayal of down-on-his-luck drifter/miner Fred Dobbs. Hollywood’s biggest star deserves acclaim for this movie. He would go on to win for ‘African Queen’, but he was deprived of even a nomination for his fantastic performance here.

‘The Teasure of the Sierra Madre’ is as good as any movie ever made. Powerful, raw, insightful and true to the vagaries of human emotion. People as different as Robert Redford, Vince Gilligan, Sam Raimi and Paul Thomas Anderson all call this their favorite film. It is on my very short list of the greatest ever.

Side notes: The best spoof of the “badges” line is in ‘Blazing Saddles’. That Brooks and Wilder comedy is one of the great films as well. Also, this movie is based on the book of the same name by author B. Traven. That is a pen name and, to this day, no one knows who actually wrote the book. Currently, no streamers have it for free. It is available for rent/purchase at all the usual locations.