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Movies / On DVD / The Big Sleep
The Big Sleep

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The Big Sleep (1946)

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Reviews Counted:42

Fresh:40

Rotten:2

Average Rating:8.6/10

Runtime: 3 hrs 50 mins

Genre: Dramas

Synopsis: Chandler's first novel introduced private detective Philip Marlowe, and THE BIG SLEEP set the standard for private detective movies. Down-at-the-heels private eye Marlowe gets the assignment to... Chandler's first novel introduced private detective Philip Marlowe, and THE BIG SLEEP set the standard for private detective movies. Down-at-the-heels private eye Marlowe gets the assignment to clean up after the daughters of a dying millionaire, but dead people have a nasty habit of trailing in their wake. The famously tortuous story line (Hawks supposedly asked Chandler to clarify a plot point about the murder of the family chauffeur; the novelist hadn't a clue as to who did the deed) seems beside the point when Bogart and Bacall are onscreen. The final release was recut to include more of their scenes together. A must! Remade in 1978. [More]

Starring: Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall, Dorothy Malone, John Ridgely

Starring: Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall, Dorothy Malone, John Ridgely, Louis Jean Heydt, Elisha Cook, Regis Toomey, Sonia Darrin, Bob Steele, Martha Vickers, Tom Rafferty, Charles Waldron, Charles D. Brown, Peggy Knudsen

Director: Howard Hawks

Director: Howard Hawks
Screenwriter: William Faulkner, Jules Furthman, Leigh Brackett
Producer: Howard Hawks
Composer: Max Steiner

[See More Credits]

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Release:

Jul 25, 2006

[DVD Details]
 
 
  • Big Sleep, The
  • L.A. private eye Phillip Marlowe takes on a blackmail case...and a trail peopled with murderers, porographers, nightclub rogues, the spoiled rich and more. Humphrey Boart plays Raymond Chandlers' legendary gumshoe and director Howard Hawkes serves up snappy character encounters (particularly involving Lauren Bacall), brisk pace and atmosphere galore in the certified classic.
  • Source: Warner Home Video
  •  
     
     
     

    Reviews for The Big Sleep

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    1 - 20 (sorted by comments)
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    It's likely to leave you confused and dissatisfied.

    Full Review Source: New York Times | comment 1 Comment
    05/20/03
    Bosley Crowther
    Bosley Crowther
    New York Times

    No review available.

    comment 1 Comment
    10/09/05
    Chuck O'Leary
    Chuck O'Leary
    Fantastica Daily

    A first-rate thriller.

    Full Review Source: Boxoffice Magazine | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Boxoffice Magazine

    An unqualified masterpiece.

    Full Review Source: Washington Post | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Washington Post

    One of the greatest detective films to come out of Hollywood.

    Full Review Source: TV Guide's Movie Guide | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    TV Guide's Movie Guide

    The direction, cinematography, screenplay, brooding score and acting in this movie are all without fault. If you see one film noir movie in your life, make it this one.

    Full Review Source: Channel 4 Film | comment Comment
    07/18/08
    Channel 4 Film

    For all young filmmakers, seeing the metamorphosis of a good film into a great one will be instructive.

    Full Review Source: San Francisco Examiner | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Barbara Shulgasser
    Barbara Shulgasser
    San Francisco Examiner

    Great dialogue, atmosphere and performances by Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall and others.

    Full Review Source: Apollo Guide | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Brian Webster
    Brian Webster
    Apollo Guide

    I can't think of a crime drama with a story that can match that can match the headlong intricacy of The Big Sleep.

    Full Review Source: Bryant Frazer's Deep Focus | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Bryant Frazer
    Bryant Frazer
    Bryant Frazer's Deep Focus

    Bogart and Bacall are so good together that the story's impenetrability doesn't matter much, as long as it keeps serving up suspenseful situations and sassy dialogue.

    Full Review Source: AboutFilm.com | comment Comment
    04/20/02
    Carlo Cavagna
    Carlo Cavagna
    AboutFilm.com

    No review available.

    comment Comment
    11/07/03
    Carol Cling
    Carol Cling
    Las Vegas Review-Journal

    There's little else I can add about this proto-noir, one of the archetypes of the genre and a showstopper for Lauren Bacall and Humphrey Bogart, who spar through a catty romance while dancing through a taut mystery.

    Full Review Source: Filmcritic.com | comment Comment
    01/01/06
    Christopher Null
    Christopher Null
    Filmcritic.com

    Wide awake amid the smoke and mirrors.

    Full Review Source: Bangor Daily News (Maine) | comment Comment
    11/18/05
    Christopher Smith
    Christopher Smith
    Bangor Daily News (Maine)

    No review available.

    comment Comment
    11/06/05
    Cole Smithey
    Cole Smithey
    ColeSmithey.com

    What you remember here are moments.

    Full Review Source: Chicago Reader | comment Comment
    07/18/08
    Dave Kehr
    Dave Kehr
    Chicago Reader
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    One of the most intriguing, energetic and playful film noirs ever.

    Full Review Source: Ozus' World Movie Reviews | comment Comment
    12/27/06
    Dennis Schwartz
    Dennis Schwartz
    Ozus' World Movie Reviews

    No review available.

    comment Comment
    07/03/05
    Emanuel Levy
    Emanuel Levy
    EmanuelLevy.Com

    Don¡¯t try too hard to follow the story, just get swept away by the mood of the film.

    Full Review Source: Washington Post | comment Comment
    01/22/02
    Eric Brace
    Eric Brace
    Washington Post

    No review available.

    comment Comment
    10/12/04
    Frank Swietek
    Frank Swietek
    One Guy's Opinion

    One of the finest mainstream noir-thrillers ever made.

    Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
    06/24/06
    Geoff Andrew
    Geoff Andrew
    Time Out
     
     
    1 - 20 (sorted by comments)
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