The Petrified Forest (1936) review - Bogart's slouch is still legendary

If you are wondering if The Petrified Forest is worth your time tonight, the answer is a big yes. But only if you like old movies that feel like stage plays.

If you want fast action or modern pacing, you are absolutely going to hate this. It is basically just a bunch of weirdos stuck in a dusty diner in the middle of the desert. 🌵

Leslie Howard plays this wandering writer guy who looks like he hasn't had a decent meal in three weeks. He drifts into this remote gas station diner run by a young Bette Davis.

Bette Davis has these massive, intense eyes here. She spends her time reading poetry and dreaming of France, which is pretty funny considering she is surrounded by dirt and tumbleweeds.

This isn't some silent, fast-moving picture like Lighting Bill. No, this is almost entirely people talking in a single wooden room.

Then, Humphrey Bogart shows up as Duke Mantee, a gangster on the run. This is the role that made him a star, and you can totally see why.

He slouchs in his chair, holds his gun like it is an extension of his hand, and barely moves his top lip when he speaks. It is wild how much gravity he has compared to everyone else.

Honestly, Leslie Howard's character talks way too much. He has these long, poetic speeches about how his soul is dead, and after a while, you just want him to eat a sandwich and shut up.

There is a moment where he starts talking about the desert being a grave, and Bette Davis just stares at him like he is the smartest man alive. It is kind of sweet but also a little ridiculous.

I noticed this one extra in the background of the diner who just keeps wiping the exact same spot on the counter for like five minutes. He looks so bored, I actually started feeling bad for him.

The tension when the gang is just sitting there waiting for their escape car is really good. You can almost feel the heat and the dust coming off the screen.

Some of the side characters are super annoying, though. The rich couple who get held hostage are just caricatures who whine about their money the whole time.

The ending gets really dark, really fast. It has this weirdly bleak vibe that feels very different from the usual Hollywood happy endings.

If you want something cozy but slightly tense for a rainy Sunday, this is a great pick. Just be prepared for a lot of theatrical sighing.