- Actors: Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall, John Ridgely, Martha Vickers, Dorothy Malone
- Directors: Howard Hawks
- Writers: Jules Furthman, Leigh Brackett, Raymond Chandler, William Faulkner
- Producers: Howard Hawks, Jack L. Warner
- Language English
- Classification: PG
- Studio: Warner
- VHS Release Date: 6 Mar 2000
- Run Time: 114 minutes
- Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
- ASIN: B00004CI9U
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 7,174 in Video (See Top 100 in Video)
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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall made screen history together more than once, but they were never more popular than in this 1946 adaptation of Raymond Chandler's novel, directed by Howard Hawks (To Have and Have Not). Bogart plays private eye Philip Marlowe, who is hired by a wealthy socialite (Bacall) to look into troubles stirred up by her wild, young sister (Martha Vickers). Legendarily complicated (so much so that even Chandler had trouble following the plot), the film is nonetheless hugely entertaining and atmospheric, an electrifying plunge into the exotica of detective fiction. William Faulkner wrote the screenplay. --Tom Keogh
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
41 of 41 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This film is absolutely mesmerizing, a masterpiece full of sharp dialog and a plot so complex not even Raymond Chandler could tell you who commited one of the murders. Bogart is Detective Philip Marlowe and from the moment he arrives to talk to General Sternwood and gets mixed up with his daughters this is a film classic.
Bacall is the sultry older sister, but it is sexy and thumb sucking little sister Martha Vickers he meets first. As he tells Sternwood, "Yeah, we met. She tried to sit in my lap and I was standing up". This is all about gambling debts and murder, all of which leads to Eddie Mars and Carmen (Vickers). But there are more twist and turns here than a rollercoaster, and it moves just about as fast. If you blink, be prepared to start over.
Howard Hawks made a masterpiece here. It is the finest straightforward detective novel ever put on celluloid. William Faulkner adapted Raymond Chandler's greatest literary achievement for Hawks and the whole thing is filmed as a fast moving dream of dialog and images hard to forget. One critic likened it to a huge hangover. That is a perfect description of this film.
Bogart's Marlowe has his hands full trying to keep Carmen out of trouble she may already be in to deep to get out of, and the sparks between he and Bacall may just ignite if he can figure out a way to keep the fast rising body count from getting any higher while keeping himself alive. Bacall has never been more beautiful or inviting than when she is slumped down in the seat of Bogart's car, just waiting for him to kiss her.
You have to see this film to really appreciate it. You'll never see anything else like it in American cinema. Pick up this one as soon as you can.
22 of 23 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I grew up hearing great stories about Bogart's movies, so much loved by my dad... It took me years before I decided to "face" one of those black&whites and see what the fuss was all about. Now I know: his charms, the lines, the storyboard... I absolutely loved my first Bogey movie and I went straight for more. The Big Sleep provides you with intrigue, suspense, romance and even some action, all of them mixed the right way for a captivating cocktail.
27 of 29 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This detective thriller is archetypal Bogart and Bacall. Dripping with rich, sensual, dark atmosphere, so that the complexity of the plot (it took me several viewings over many years to get the hang of it) just doesn't matter - don't worry about following every detail, just sit back and let this stylish, classic noir soak in to your consciousness in its own good time.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
One Murder Never is Solved
"The Big Sleep," 1944, was the second film made for Warner Brothers by its golden trio, Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall and Howard Hawks. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Stephanie DePue
over-elaborate
Private detective Humphrey Bogart (Marlowe) is called by Charles Waldron (General Sternwood) to put an end to a case of blackmail involving his family. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Alex da Silva
So clever
TCM - Africa comes up with occasional surprises. Last night, at a civilised hour, it was The Big Sleep. This is film noir at its scintillating best. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Ian Hunter
"The Big Sleep (1946) ... Bogart & Bacall ... Howard Hawks (Director)...
Warner Bros. Pictures presents "THE BIG SLEEP" (1946) (114 min/B&W) -- Starring Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall, Martha Vickers, Regis Toomey & Dorothy Malone
Directed by... Read more
Directed by... Read more
Published 14 months ago by J. Lovins
The Big Sleep [1946]
One of Hollywood's greats with a cracking good story. Film noir at its best. I'm sure this has been said of this film a million times. I can't add anything more. It's wonderful!!
Published 14 months ago by gwaun52
The Big Sleep DVD
It's one of Humphrey Bogart's classics with well written dialogue that is both smart and witty. The opening scenes in particular demonstrate Chandler's brilliant writing combining... Read more
Published 18 months ago by alexander carvolth
ESSENTIAL CINEMA
Well known and viewed, but essential film for any collection. The interplay between Bogart and Bacall must have been very risque for the period and is highly amusing too! Read more
Published 20 months ago by Waggers
Sloppy, sloppy work
One would have hoped that the persons charged with the responsibility of committing this superb film to DVD would have taken a little more care than the idiot who assembled my... Read more
Published 22 months ago by The Prophet Zarquon
Wonderful film, slightly faded transfer
The quality of the film is not in question, and has been covered more than adequately in other reviews. Read more
Published on 12 Jan 2010 by Ricolas
the big sleep(for insomniacs)
classic film of chandlers novel with the brilliant pairing of Bogart & Bacall-most excepional film at truly fantastic price
Published on 9 Oct 2009 by robert britton
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