The Big Sleep
THE BIG SLEEPÂ (PG)
D:Â Howard Hawks
Warner Bros (Howard Hawks)
USA 🇺🇸 1946
118 mins
Crime/Mystery/Thriller
W:Â William Faulkner, Jules Furthman & Leigh
Brackett [based on the novel by Raymond Chandler]
DP: Sid Hickox
Ed: Christian Nyby
Mus: Max Steiner
Humphrey Bogart (Philip Marlowe), Lauren
Bacall (Vivian Rutledge), John Ridgely (Eddie Mars), Louis Jean Heydt (Joe Brody), Elisha Cook, Jr (Jones), Regis Toomey (Bernie Ohis), Sonia Darrin (Agnes), Bob Steele (Canino), Martha
Vickers (Carmen)
The Big Sleep is often considered the best detective picture
of the 1940's and it's a claim which is difficult to argue against.
Based on one of Raymond Chandler's most famous novels,
Humphrey Bogart slips into the shoes of lead character Philip Marlowe with complete ease, taking on a case which involves blackmail, pornography and murder.Â
The story is years ahead of its time, full of mystery and
suspense, and even an unsolved element.
Lauren Bacall is perfect as the catty femme fatale and her
on-screen chemistry with Bogart simply sizzles. The supporting performances are equally great, particularly Martha Vickers who almost steals the limelight from the powerhouse
A-listers.
A
few characteristics now seem a bit old-fashioned, but for 1946, this is simply stellar filmmaking.
10/10
Did You Know:
Due to Humphrey Bogart's affair with co-star Lauren
Bacall, his marital problems escalated during filming, and his drinking often resulted in his being unable to work. Three months after the film was finished, Bacall and Bogart were
married.