Summary
AMC’sMonsieur Spadehas left some viewers wondering if the series is actually a sequel to Humphrey Bogart’s 1941Maltese Falconmovie or something unrelated. Created by Scott Frank (Logan) and Tom Fontana (Oz),Monsieur Spadestars Clive Owen (A Murder at the End of the World) as the fictional private detective Sam Spade. Set in 1963,the series follows the legendary Detective Spade to the South of France, where he’s enjoying his retirementfrom investigating murder cases. While his time in San Francisco was marked by brutal violence, Spade’s next adventure is much more relaxing — until it isn’t.
Everything begins to change when Detective Spade learns that his old adversary has made a rumored return, and everythingreallyshifts after six nuns are horrifically murdered at the local convent in Bozouls. As the tight-knit community grieves its harrowing loss,Spade takes up the mantle of detective once again. Just like the good old days in San Francisco, Spade is back at it, unearthing secrets and crafting leads that involveMonsieur Spade’s cast of characters— a memorable bunch that include a young boy who seemingly boasts mysterious powers that may relate to the nuns' deaths.
The Maltese Falcon
The Maltese Falcon, released in 1941, features private detective Sam Spade as he becomes entangled with three eccentric criminals and a deceitful woman in a pursuit of a priceless statuette. Starring Humphrey Bogart, this film has become a quintessential example of the film noir genre.
Put simply,Monsieur Spadeis connected toThe Maltese Falcon— both the iconic 1941 movie and the novel that inspired the influential film noir.Monsieur Spadeviewers have experienced some confusion, however, over whether the miniseries is a direct sequel or just another story about Detective Sam Spade. In a sense,Monsieur Spadeis aMaltese Falconsequelto both the movie and the book. Penned by American writer Dashiell Hammett,The Maltese Falconwas originally a 1930 detective novel, though there’s no denying that Humphrey Bogart’s portrayal of Sam Spade added to the story’s enduring appeal.
…contemporary film and TV makers would be hard-pressed to create a Sam Spade story without… referencing The Maltese Falcon.
Even though director John Huston’s film noir seems like the definitive version of Sam Spade’s story, it isn’t even the first movie adaptation. That honor goes to director Roy Del Ruth’s 1931 adaptation, which starred Ricardo Cortez as private detective Sam Spade. Still, it’s 1941’sMaltese Falconthat’s considered one of the greatest and most influential films of all time. A suspense-filled thriller,The Maltese Falconis a showcase of Bogart’s immense talent. That said, contemporary film and TV makers would be hard-pressed to create a Sam Spade story without, in some way,referencing Humphrey Bogart’sMaltese Falcon.
How Long After The Maltese Falcon Monsieur Spade Takes Place
AMC’s Monsieur Spade show dives into the later years of Sam Spade, a character famously played by Humphrey Bogart in The Maltese Falcon.
Monsieur Spade’s Sam Spade Is Heavily Inspired By Humphrey Bogart’s Version
Clive Owen Has Discussed How His Character Is An Older Iteration Of Bogart’s Spade
SetafterThe Maltese Falcon,Monsieur Spadedefinitelyfeelslike a sequel to Bogart’s movie. To clarify,star Clive Owen has discussed the connection between the TV series and the iconic book-turned-moviein more certain terms. When asked about the link betweenMonsieur SpadeandThe Maltese Falcon, actorClive Owen confirmed that he “drowned” in Humphrey Bogartto prepare for his role inMonsieur Spade. For Owen, the key to truly embodying Sam Spade, and playing an older version of Bogart’sMaltese Falconcharacter, was to maintain the rhythm and cadence of Bogart’s speech throughoutMonsieur Spade.
Monsieur Spadeseason 1 is now streaming on Netflix;The Maltese Falcon(1941) is available to purchase or rent on VOD platforms, including Amazon Prime Video.
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.
