The Maltese Falcon

4K Ultra HD

Blu Ray

  • Score
    94
    from 5 reviewers
  • An iconic Bogart-led noir, The Maltese Falcon captivates 80 years on; a timeless, influential gem of Hollywood's Golden Age.

    The Maltese Falcon
    1941
    100 min
    Passed
    True 4K
    HDR10
  • Video
    95
  • Blu-ray of The Maltese Falcon boasts stunning 4K restoration, astonishing performances, impressive definition, and a perfect presentation. This 4K UHD transfer with HDR outclasses DVD and prior Blu-ray versions, featuring a clear, detailed, and lovingly restored noir image.

  • Audio
    92
  • The DTS-HD 2.0 Master Audio mix features split two-channel mono, enhancing the older Blu-ray's lossless track. Additional 2.0 mono Dolby Digital tracks in German, Spanish, and Portuguese, with subtitles for various languages. This audio presentation offers impressive range, crisp highs, and surprising drums.

  • Extra
    90
  • This 4K UHD release includes a two-disc set with Blu-ray, attractive packaging, Digital Copy code, and extras like bloopers, make-up tests, and bonus short films. It offers a comprehensive package for film enthusiasts and fans of The Maltese Falcon.

  • Movie
    98
  • The Maltese Falcon, a classic film noir, features the morally righteous detective - one of the decade's best - in a thrilling tale with surprise releases and enduring appeal, serving as a gateway to Hollywood history while showcasing dreams and obsessions.

    True 4K
    HDR10

    Director: John Huston

    Actors: Humphrey Bogart, Mary Astor, Gladys George

    Plot: San Francisco private detective Sam Spade takes on a case that involves him with three eccentric criminals, a gorgeous liar and their quest for a priceless statuette, with the stakes rising after his partner is murdered.

    Disc Release Date: 4 April 2023

    all scores

    Blu-ray.com review by Randy Miller III
    • Video
      90
    • NOTE: This review's screenshots are sourced from the included Blu-ray, which is identical to WB's 2010 release.Although I'd normally lament the lack of a new Blu-ray to match WB's stunning 4K restoration,...

    • Audio
      90
    • Likewise, the DTS-HD 2.0 Master Audio mix is a split two-channel mono presentation that similarly advances on the older Blu-ray's lossless track due to the benefits of its new restoration. Jeffrey Kauffman's...

    • Extra
      80
    • This two-disc release ships in a dual-hubbed keepcase with attractive cover art, a handsome matching slipcover, and a Digital Copy redemption code tucked inside. Since the included Blu-ray is identical...

    • Movie
      100
    • The stuff that dreams are made of.Part of a surprise April flurry of catalog releases that also includes Stuart Rosenberg's Cool Hand Luke and Nicholas Ray's Rebel Without a Cause, John Huston's film noir...

    • Total
      90
    • Led by one of Humphrey Bogart's most iconic roles, John Huston's film noir classic The Maltese Falcon still holds up more than 80 years after its theatrical release. It's at or near the top of most genre...

    The Digital Bits review by Bill Hunt
    • Video
      100
    • When Greenstreet (astonishingly, seen here in his first film performance) explains the history of the Falcon, you’re drawn to his every word and it’s only after the scene is over that you realize he’s...

    • Audio
      85
    • Additional 2.0 mono Dolby Digital tracks are available in German, Spanish, and Portuguese, while subtitle options include English (for the Hearing Impaired), French, German (for the Hearing Impaired),...

    • Extra
      80
    • ...

    • Movie
      100
    • It seems the sister came to town with a man named Floyd Thursby, so Spade’s partner Miles Archer (Jerome Cowan) agrees to tail Thursby, hoping to find her....

    • Total
      91
    • As successful as The Maltese Falcon was upon its release in 1941, it only hinted at the greatness of actor Humphrey Bogart, whose rise to stardom began with High Sierra, grew with this film, and launched...

    • Video
      100
    • Definition even in the mid-range betters most modern releases, the suits, hair, and other details forever preserved from what is an absolutely perfect presentation....

    • Audio
      80
    • Serene DTS-HD mono gives the score surprising range for the age, the crisp highs impressive and the surprising drums even catching the low-end slightly....

    • Extra
      80
    • Breakdowns for 1941 is a compilation of bloopers from the various Warner films of the day, followed by some brief make-up tests....

    • Movie
      100
    • Maltese Falcon needs a hero though and will eventually have one, but that detail is held until the absolute end, presenting a morally righteous detective that stands as the decade’s best, if not the greatest...

    • Total
      90
    • Economical, twisty, and classy, Maltese Falcon provided a genre formula that’s never lost its ability to captivate an audience....

    High-Def Digest review by David Krauss
    • Video
      100
    • The Maltese Falcon looked terrific on DVD and Blu-ray, but this 4K UHD 2160p/HEVC H.265 transfer with HDR outclasses both of those stellar presentations. It doesn't seem as if a new master was created...

    • Audio
      90
    • The DTS-HD Master Audio 1.0 track from the 2010 Blu-ray has been replaced with a DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 mono track that sounds basically the same. The exquisite dialogue, even when it's recited with rapid-fire...

    • Extra
      100
    • Because the 2010 Blu-ray disc is packaged inside this 4K UHD release, all the bountiful extras come with it. I only wish the two previous film versions of The Maltese Falcon - 1931's The Maltese Falcon...

    • Movie
      100
    • As Humphrey Bogart soberly opines in the movie's final seconds, the Maltese Falcon is "the stuff that dreams are made of"...and for a while, the Hollywood Dream Factory seemed just as obsessed with that...

    • Total
      100
    • A rare bird, indeed. The Maltese Falcon stands as one Hollywood's finest Golden Age films and one of the best detective movies of all time, and Warner Home Video honors this priceless cinematic gem with...

    Why So Blu? review by Brandon Peters
    • Video
      90
    • It features a wonderful silver screen presentation with good clarity and fine detail in this image that lovingly showcases the best attributes of a noir features in this restored image....

    • Audio
      90
    • 2.0 Mono Dolby DigitalSubtitles: English SDH, French, German SDH, Italian SDH, Spanish (Castilian), Dutch, Spanish (Latin American)Dynamics:...

    • Extra
      80
    • Hiawatha’s Rabbit Hunt (SD, 7:47) Meet John Doughboy (SD, 7:00)Becoming Attractions: The Trailers of Humphrey Bogart (SD, 44:45)Breakdowns of 1941 (SD, 12:53)Makeup Tests (SD, 1:16)2/8/1943 Lux Radio Broadcast...

    • Movie
      100
    • The film only adds and rewards with repeat viewings and I agree still can impress to the uninitiated eye today, potentially acting as the gateway drug to a larger world of one of Hollywood history’s most...

    • Total
      90
    • Unfortunately they still haven’t been able to must up the ability to match the big DVD edition they did with the other 2 earlier film adaptations of the book included as extras....