Lost Treasure

The Treasure of Sierra Madre (1948)
Directed by John Huston
Cinematography by Ted McCord

1. Several explicitly presented events are how Dobbs (Humphrey Bogart) is down on his luck, meets Curtin and Howard (Tim Holt and Walter Huston), and descends into insanity. One presumed and inferred fact is that Howard is an able prospector who capably tutors Dobbs and Curtin in the art (he tells stories of successes, but Curtin and Howard had to trust that he was telling the truth in order to form a partnership). Another presumed fact is that Curtin safely makes it to Texas after the film is over. There isn’t really any nondiegetic material in the Treasure’s plot.

2. The earliest story event we learn of is Howard’s bad luck prospecting. His relating of the story in the shelter is the cause of the trio’s partnership and subsequent events.

3. There is only one manipulation of time in The Treasure of Sierra Madre: Curtin’s flashback to how he escaped Dobbs. All other events are in order and are portrayed only once.

4. The closing of the film relies on the plot’s straight-forward development of events from the beginning to end. The only narrative line that doesn’t truly receive closure is Curtin’s: does he get to Texas safely? Does the law catch up with him before he reaches the border? What kind of reception does he receive if he gets there? These facts must all be assumed by the viewer.

5. The viewer sees everything through the eyes of the three main characters: we are restricted to their knowledge. The events leaving up to the climax of the story are all caused by Dobbs’ mental state.

6. This film closely follows the conventions of Hollywood cinema and the western genre.