With AMC’sMonsieur Spadebeing a sequel to the classic film noirThe Maltese Falcon, audiences and soon-to-be viewers alike are wondering how Clive Owen’s older version of Sam Spade compares to Humphrey Bogart’s iconic character. Created by Scott Frank (Out of Sight) and Tom Fontana (The Jury),Monsieur Spadestars Clive Owen (Children of Men) as the private detectivewho rose to pop-cultural prominence with 1941’sThe Maltese Falcon. AlthoughMonsieur Spadeis a sequel toThe Maltese Falcon, both projects are also based on Dashiell Hammett’s 1930 novel, which first became a film in 1931.
Full of twists and turns, John Huston’s black-and-white noir sees Spade navigating the streets of San Francisco, as well as the many parties who are out to claim the titular jewel-encrusted bird statue.Monsieur Spadepicks up with Sam further down the timeline in 1963, which is roughly20 years afterThe Maltese Falcon. The six-episode series begins with Spade enjoying a quiet life and retirement in small-town France. However,the brutal murder of six nuns at a local convent draws Spade back into his old patterns, which Owen is tasked with bringing to life.
How Similar Clive Owen’s Sam Spade Is To Humphrey Bogart’s Version
Owen Captures Bogie’s Fast-Talking & Stoic Charm
WhetherMonsieur Spade’s endingsticks the landing or not, it’s clear that Golden Globe-winning actor Clive Owen gets a lot of qualities right about his titular character. Not only is Owen tasked with leadingMonsieur Spade’s cast of characters, but he’s meant to fill some pretty big shoes. After all, Humphrey Bogart, fondly referred to as Bogie, is one of the faces of classic Hollywood cinema, andThe Maltese Falconwas largely responsible for his surge in popularityand silver-screen stardom. Smartly, Owen doesn’t just imitate Bogie, but focuses on a few key details of the iconic performance.
There’s something very collected and assured about Owen’s portrayal of Sam, which certainly echoes Bogie’s performance.
Owen clearly draws inspiration from Bogart, especially where the character’s stoic demeanor is concerned. Owen’s Sam isn’t afraid to casually light a cigarette and ask point-blank questions of people who have previously tried to do him in. There’s something very collected and assured about Owen’s portrayal of Sam, which certainly echoes Bogie’s performance. Additionally,Monsieur Spade’s writers have deftly captured the fast-paced dialogue that defined the ’40s film, which, in turn, allows Owen to mimic Bogart’s cadence. Thanks to Owen’s admiration for Bogart,Monsieur Spadereally sells the fact that it chronicleswhat happens afterThe Maltese Falcon.
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Is AMC’s Monsieur Spade show based on a novel? Here’s what the show uses as its source material and how it connects to a classic movie.
Clive Owen Copied Humphrey Bogart To Play Sam Spade
The Monsieur Spade Actor “Drowned” In Bogart’s Performance Before Filming
ActorClive Owen has been open about channeling Humphrey Bogartfor the neo-noir sequel. “I have to be honest, I kind of drowned in Bogart,” Owen toldScreen Rant, sharing that he is a huge fan of not just Bogie but 1941’sThe Maltese Falcon. Although he was careful not to put forth a superficial imitation of Bogart,Owen used the rich backstory of the film noir to ensure he didn’t “drift too far"from his predecessor. Even so, Spade is at a much different point in his life, so Owen’s version of the character is more mellowed-out.
Though it took 83 years, it’s exciting to see a proper and thoughtful continuation ofThe Maltese Falcon’s Sam Spade and his story. While it’s not yet clear ifMonsieur Spadeseason 2is happening at AMC,Clive Owen delivers a memorable performancethat will live on. Impressively, Owen’s portrayal conjures Humphrey Bogart’s iconic private detective, all while feeling like his own interpretation ofMonsieur Spade’s titular character.
Monsieur Spade
Based on the works of Dashiell Hammet, Monsieur Spade is a mystery crime-drama series created for AMC by Scott Frank and Tom Fontana. The series follows Detective Sam Spade years into retirement, now living in France. His peaceful era is interrupted by a former foe who begins a string of murders, forcing Sam to return and uncover the truth about the town he now inhabits.
