Humphrey Bogart plays Roy Earle, a lifelong criminal, in this famous 1941 film noir directed by Raul Walsh and with a screenplay by the soon to be legendary director, John Huston. Ida Lupino receives top billing in the film as Marie, Roy Earle's girlfriend. A little dog has an important sentimentalized role. "High Sierra" took Bogart into the role of leading man.

The strongest aspect of this film is the characterization of Roy Earle in the script and in Bogart's acting. He is a complex, multi-dimensional character, both ruthless and endearing. A hard man and lifer, Earle has few compunctions about violence and about a life of crime. He has been sprung from a life sentence in Indiana, through a corrupt pardon arranged by q powerful crook. He turns immediately to crime in a large jewelry heist in a small California town. Still, Earle is what is now called "vulnerable" with his search for love, his feelings for nature, his attachments to dogs, and his attempts at honesty.

The cinematography of this film features many shadowy, scenes characteristic of film noir. It includes scenes in prisons, in lonely cabins in the woods, in buses, and in growing towns. But the best scenes in the film were shot on location in the Sierra Mountains as Roy Earle battles for his freedom.

The theme of freedom pervades this movie, with many foreshadowing scenes and lines. Both Roy and Marie are committed to escaping from their difficult, hopeless lives, Roy as a lifelong criminal and Marie as a dime a dance girl. Roy has used the prison term "crashes out" for his desire to escape prison and for a free life. Roy, Marie, and the viewer learn about the nature of "crashing out" during the course of this classic film.

I was grateful for the opportunity to watch "High Sierra" on Archives.

Bogart gets it in the end but the cop who calls him “big shot” went on to play Bogey’s partner, Sam Archer in The Maltese Falcon. In that film Sam Archer gets it in the beginning!

The dog was the jinx... Mans best friend , I think not...

Remember, the money wasn't with Bogey, so he made that desperate stickup for gas and traveling money, but leaving without his end wasn't an option, not to mention, he couldn't bring himself to take Lupino, his great and passionate doll, on the run with him either...yep, it was hit the mountain and blast it out with em'. Good Good Bogey flick, Ida was great too...just wish she would've been offered more roles like this through her career, the youthfulness that is, she had flare and that great yearning always... Watch this 5 star gem, Bogey catches the persona of a "Roy" in the 40's 50's Bank Robber, Convict, and tough guy - don't be smart, don't use big words, don't mention books, art, or anything that might make him feel dumb, or you're getting one upside the head, lol.

I disagree with the first review because the climax at the end was exciting enough for me. And yes, any movie with Bogart in it is worth watching but add Ida Lupino and you can't go wrong!

I'm a sucker for Bogart. What a guy, what a dame, what a plot, and what an ending!!! Highly recommend, gave it 4 instead of 5 stars because it was minus that "high fever climax" where the psychopath unfolds. But sure was a darn great film noir, well done from head to toe. Ida ...she sure was swell. It's funny how the criminal becomes the hero in these well done flicks, regardless of the infraction! See for yourself, judged by the dog.

HIGH SIERRA, a photoplay in eleven
reels by Warner Bros. Pictures.
(C) 25Jan41; L10202. United Artists
Television, Inc. (PWH); 27Dec68;
R452003.