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From Amazon.co.uk
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
Product Description
A classic 'noir' adaptation of Raymond Chandler's much-filmed novel. Private detective Philip Marlowe (Humphrey Bogart) agrees to rid a wealthy family of a blackmailer who is threatening the younger daughter, but the man is killed before he can act. Drawn nevertheless into the Sternwood family's problems (not least because of his attraction to the elder sister, played by Lauren Bacall), Marlowe uncovers drugs, murder and more blackmail.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
46 of 46 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
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.
25 of 26 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.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This is the first time I've ever seen 'Bogie' in lead role and what a star he is, Lauren Bacall is equally as mesmerising on screen.
The plot is a right old head scratcher as you try to keep track with what the hell is going on, but it's still highly entertaining stuff from the quirky one liners, "she tried to sit on my lap while I was standing up", the nymphomaniac character played by the beautiful Martha Vickers, to the directors obsession that every single female character would find Bogart a sex symbol on first sight, something which he himself thought was amusing.
The plot is a right old head scratcher as you try to keep track with what the hell is going on, but it's still highly entertaining stuff from the quirky one liners, "she tried to sit on my lap while I was standing up", the nymphomaniac character played by the beautiful Martha Vickers, to the directors obsession that every single female character would find Bogart a sex symbol on first sight, something which he himself thought was amusing.
29 of 31 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
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.
13 of 14 people found the following review helpful
By Henry Ireton
VINE™ VOICE
Format:DVD
The fact that this has got six five star reviews so far should say something about its quality and there are so many wonderful performances in this film that are really worth highlighting that I hope even in this review I can say something new about it. The point of the film in part is the wonderful relationship between Bacall and Bogart and yet just saying this is a film of that relationship would be completely wrong. There are many other great performances- even by characters whose description is as small as girl in a bookstore.
This film is about as atmospheric as it gets. You can disregard the complicated plot to concentrate solely on the way that each scene, each character almost draws with him or herself an atmosphere. So for instance General Sternwood who hires Marlowe as a private detective has an atmosphere of decadence around him- the heat of his room and the wilting flowers mirror the rottenness of his past. Decadence, moral and actual dominates the film- pornography and violence are referenced though a lot is toned down from the book because of the Production codes in Hollywood at the time.
This is an amazing film to which this review doesn't do adequate justice but I hope it adds to the pile of general approbation and convinces you to give this a try.
This film is about as atmospheric as it gets. You can disregard the complicated plot to concentrate solely on the way that each scene, each character almost draws with him or herself an atmosphere. So for instance General Sternwood who hires Marlowe as a private detective has an atmosphere of decadence around him- the heat of his room and the wilting flowers mirror the rottenness of his past. Decadence, moral and actual dominates the film- pornography and violence are referenced though a lot is toned down from the book because of the Production codes in Hollywood at the time.
This is an amazing film to which this review doesn't do adequate justice but I hope it adds to the pile of general approbation and convinces you to give this a try.
18 of 20 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Perhaps the most famous detective film ever made, and one of the most complex! Still entertaining even after all these years, even though it seems to last hours at times! The chemistry between Bogart and Bacall is legendary; their scenes sparkle, and that wonderful final scene when the police sirens can be heard in the distance and they share "that look." Amazing. As far as the DVD version is concerned. its good, but not brilliant. Picture is clear, especially in the dark scenes, and there are many. Sound is dated, but bear in mind that it is an old film. However, you must buy this since films like this are ageless.
12 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
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 shed. Somebody, after all, went to the trouble to prepare subtitles in 10 languages (though I can't vouch for the accuracy of all of them). Instead, we have a damaged print, well below the standard of that regularly shown on television. I just don't understand the mentality of the person who decided that this would be adequate.
An insult to the history of cinema; a waste of precious Makrolon®. Shame on you Warner Video.
An insult to the history of cinema; a waste of precious Makrolon®. Shame on you Warner Video.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Classic.
Bogart at his best. I never thought I would like films that are more than 60 years old, but this has definitely made me think otherwise.
Published 3 months ago by Stew
5.0 out of 5 stars
Bogart & Bacall
Love the film, both actors are some of my favourites. Like the man said, the old films are the best.
Thank you Amazon for still selling them.
Thank you Amazon for still selling them.
Published 4 months ago by D. W. Strong
5.0 out of 5 stars
Sassy and smart
This has lost nothing over the years. It's a wonderful adaptation of a wonderful book. It doesn't need all sorts of spectacular effects just an intelligent script and wonderful... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Forrester
4.0 out of 5 stars
The Big Sleep (1946) DVD
If you're a Humphrey Bogart fan you'll certaionly love this one. Thoroughly entertaining. Relax and enjoy. this film which is great.
Published 5 months ago by Janet Mackay
3.0 out of 5 stars
Great film, shame about the transfer.
The film itself is beyond compare. I don't need to reprise all the superlatives expressed already.
The quality of the film used for the transfer (or the transfer process... Read more
The quality of the film used for the transfer (or the transfer process... Read more
Published 6 months ago by John Neesom
5.0 out of 5 stars
Classic movie deserving of it's reputation
The DVD arrived promptly and I'm very happy with the service.
The movie is a well-known classic and deserves the high regard in which it it held. Read more
The movie is a well-known classic and deserves the high regard in which it it held. Read more
Published 6 months ago by James M
4.0 out of 5 stars
classic
The script is fast paced and witty. Some laugh out loud moments. Today's film makers would do well to take up some of the ideas from this film. Bogart and Bacall at their finest. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Barbara
5.0 out of 5 stars
Bogie + The Silver Fox = Classic Noir
This 1946 noir classic directed by one of the all-time great Hollywood directors, Howard Hawks, reunited Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall following their electrifying debut... Read more
Published 6 months ago by Keith M
4.0 out of 5 stars
The Big Sleep.
Another classic Humphrey Bogart movie. The story and the characters are just brilliant. A perfect example of the genre. I just love these types of films. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Mwlewis
5.0 out of 5 stars
Iconic
You forget just how good some films are and getting reacquainted with them after a few years' "neglect" is as joyous as meeting up with an old friend. Read more
Published 8 months ago by M. Joyce
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