The Petrified Forest (DVD, 2005)

Although Bette Davis is in "The Petrified Forest", it is more Humphrey Bogart's movie. This movie was the start of his great career and allowed him to catapult to major stardom. He plays Duke Mantee, a convict on the run, who happens to stop with his gang at a desolate restaurant run by the father of Gabrielle Maple (Bette Davis)in 1930's Arizona. What happens after that is a play of characters telling their various stories while they await their doom or release from Duke Mantee's clutches. Gabrielle is the waitress in her father's diner and longs for culture just like her mother did when she abandoned the family. She finds it in Squier (Leslie Howard), a poor writer who happens to stop in, and hopes to run away with him to Paris, France. Other characters who tell their stories are Gabrielle's grandfather, who is looking for the excitement of being held captive by a famous outlaw and alcohol; Gabrielle's so-called boyfriend before Squier, an impulsive and frustrated ex-junior college football player; and a married couple who have car trouble and just happen to get involved.

If you are wondering what the Petrified Forest has to do with it, it is supposedly a place of beauty in desolate Arizona.

This movie is not great but it is not terrible either. It holds your attention if you are interested in character development, but the plot is hardly there. It had been a successful play in New York before the movie was made.

This movie made Humphrey Bogart's career, although he was surprised that a gangster role would be the ticket. This is perhaps one of the ten best movies of all time in American Cinema. Set in a remote corner of the Southwest United States, Betty Davis and Leslie Howard are drawn to each other under very unusual circumstances. Some may recognize Charlie Grapewin as Davis' onery grandfather. He was Uncle Henry in another film classic "The Wizard of Oz" made three years later in 1939. I recommend everyone see this film to appreciate the wonderful script and story line. The plot is worthy of Shakespeare and moves steadily to its conclusion with very little wasted action and dialogue. Anyone who wants to study the crafts of screenplay writing, acting, or directing, simply must study this film.

This movie was very good. I enjoyed it very much it had alot of suspence an action for an old movie.

Great old movie with so much to learn from! This movie should be the standard for today and everyone should watch it for its' insight on where our future is now!

I was so excited to find this DVD- it's so hard to find old, classic movies on DVD! This was a great Christmas gift to give my great-uncle (as he hasn't seen this movie in over 40 years). Thanks for such a smooth transaction and speedy delivery!

The Petrified Forest is almost 80 years old but it still stands up well as a great film. It is one of Bogart's finest performances right down to the way he holds his hands (prisoners who were shackled for a long period of time held their hands that way). The philosophy of the film is just as strong as it was when it came out; would you sacrifice everything for love? A classic in every sense and a film in my top 100.

I love this movie! It's great for it's trivia & film buffs alike! :) i highly recommend it! I bought it b/c I've hunted for it forever!

The movie showcased up and coming stars, such as Bogart. It showed the early glory days of Hollywood. It was an ensemble cast at it's best. I bought this for my movie collection because it is by far one of the better movies to start a collection with. It's a great old movie to watch again and again.