The Maltese Falcon (1941)

This celebrated film noir, starring Humphrey Bogart, is rightly regarded as a stand-out classic. Directed by John Huston and released in 1941, it has become one of the most important must-see movies of all time.

The plot unfolds rapidly as maverick private detective Sam Spade (Bogart) investigates the murder of his partner and ends up on the trail of the Maltese Falcon, a mysterious golden statuette reputed to contain priceless jewels. As the plot twists and turns up all sorts of darkened back alleyways, various villains are also on the statuette's trail, and will do anything - at any price - to get it.

The supporting cast - including Sydney Greenstreet, Mary Astor and Peter Lorre (who puts in a memorable performance as whiny Joel Cairo) - could not be bettered, but Bogart, in what was a landmark year for him, leads from the front, and steals the show.

If you've never seen it, you're in for a treat. Superb.