#38 - The Treasure of the Sierra Madre

The ultimate story of good, old-fashioned, corrupting greed.

Only 1987's "Wall Street" could possibly compare to this tale of the immense darkness that is man's greed. Greed, after all, as Gordon Gekko, is good (for lack of a better word).

This 1948 movies is a delicate depiction of a group of brutes who head into the mountains of western Mexico to find gold and make it rich. They, surprisingly, do end up being successful after several false starts. But what follows is a slow, technical portrayal of men spiraling into greedy insanity.

The movie is also the origin of this famous, often mis-quoted, saying. Recognize it? Often misquoted as "We don't need no stinkin' badges," it's hard to tell why this has lasted over sixty years and become a part of our vernacular. Some things just stick, I guess.

And then of course there's Bogie. Playing the gruff and tough-shelled "Dobbsie," Bogart gives one of his greatest performances as the man who is most affected by the endless desire for more money. Though warned of money's effects in a foreboding discussion by an old man who would end up joining Dobbs in his quest for gold, he thinks he will be different and strikes out on his own to strike gold. He ends up making it, but at a cost that is by any measure greater than the reward.

John Huston directed his father, Walter, to an Academy Award for his portrayal of the old man who turns out to be more willing and able to endure nature's tough conditions than his younger counterparts. Huston would go on to direct his daughter to a Supporting Actress Oscar in 1985's "Prizzi's Honor," thus becoming the only man to direct both his father and his daughter in Oscar-winning roles.

What makes this movie absolutely flawless is its simple, straightforward storytelling. There are no frills, there is nothing confusing and nothing that leaves you saying "What just happened?" Everything is laid out in front for all to see, which allows for the theme of greed to take the viewer by the horn and teach him something about the evils of money.