This is the behind-the-scenes(note that it's retroactive, they didn't have people noting how it was made as it was going on, that's a more recent thing) featurette on The Maltese Falcon(which it contains spoilers for), on the 2-Disc Special Edition DVD of it. It consists of interviews, clips of the movie, the other two versions and other pictures from the time(often ironically used, and to great effect) and footage from other sources. We hear from screenwriters, actors, film historians, biographers and relatives of the people behind it. Everyone has something interesting to say, and none of it is specialized to the point where you have trouble understanding. We're told Hammett's personal story, and go into the cast, the writing, the dialog and the impact it had, starting the genre of noir with its roots in German expressionism(what with directors fleeing Hitler), with the low angles, use of lighting and stark shadows. Yes, this has a love-fest going on, but they explain(and back up nicely by juxtaposing it with examples) why it is so amazing, instead of merely postulating. This is rather well-edited, it keeps to a solid pace, and with you finding out about all four leads, the inspiration for the novel, and what this production caused in the medium, in a mere 32 minutes, this is concise. There is disturbing content in this. I recommend it to any fan of the mystery genre. 8/10
