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The Big Sleep Reviews

1946

70
from 9107 members

The definitive Humphrey Bogart/Lauren Bacall vehicle, The Big Sleep casts Bogart as Raymond Chandler's cynical private eye Philip Marlowe. Summoned to the home of the fabulously wealthy General Sternwood (Charles Waldron), Marlowe is hired to deal with a blackmailer shaking down the General's sensuous, thumb-sucking daughter .. Read more

Starring	Lauren Bacall, Dorothy Malone, Elisha Cook Jr Jr., Elisha Cook
Director	Howard Hawks
Genres	Thriller

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Critic's review of The Big Sleep
View all critics' reviews (3)
- Inextricably complicated, moody thriller from a novel whose author claimed that even he did not know 'who done it'. The film is nevertheless vastly enjoyable along the way for its slangy script, star performances and outbursts of violence, suspense and sh
- 30357
- - Halliwell's Film Guide
  - 02 Mar 2006 at 15:38
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Most helpful member's review of The Big Sleep
View all members' reviews (43)
- - 10
  - 0
  Only One Oscar!
  
  Bogart is so brilliant in everything he does that its a shame he only recieved one Oscar for 'The African Queen'. With 'The Big Sleep', there is... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 12656
- [Highly rated reviewer]
  - ASHLEY ROBERTS
  - Kent, England
  - 28 Jul 2004 at 11:10
Most recent members' reviews of The Big Sleep
View all members' reviews (43)
- - 0
  - 0
  L.A.'s Tarnished Angels
  
  Reading Raymond Chandler novels is an exercise in appreciating an economy of style, a first-person narrative in which world-weariness and cynicism overlay the ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 1118177
- - droog
  - 25 reviews
  - Lingfield,Surrey
  - 10 May 2012 at 21:31
- - 0
  - 0
  A timeless classic
  
  Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall give off such chemistry you need to hose down the T.V after you`ve watched the film! I agree completely with the reveiwer who ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 1075853
- - stuntmanbob
  - 47 reviews
  - diss
  - 24 Dec 2011 at 19:45
- - 0
  - 0
  Wide Awake
  
  Despite the present day offerings of modern movie making, you cannot beat the atmosphere of a classic like 'The Big Sleep'.
  
  Bogart playing ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 1072830
- - Breathe
  - 40 reviews
  - Leeds
  - 12 Dec 2011 at 19:31
- - 0
  - 0
  Cool & The Look
  
  Classic, iconic, complex and dark. Above all The Big Sleep is the grand stage for the display of 1946 Hollywood mega-star Humphrey Bogart and striking beauty ... read more »
  
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- 1063257
- [Highly rated reviewer]
  - LeonHarper
  - 56 reviews
  - At the movies
  - 16 Nov 2011 at 09:43
- - 0
  - 0
  Bogart + Bacall + great lines = watchable
  
  Oh yeah, they don't make 'em like this any more. Great hardboiled lines, including some sequences that could have been Marx Brothers. I can see the ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 1063079
- - MidnightsTail
  - 25 reviews
  - Oxford, England
  - 15 Nov 2011 at 19:50
- - 29
  - 30
  Why have they ever bothered with remakes ??
  
  Bogey/Bacall, Raymond Chandler, a great director, supporting actors who were such an important part of the Golden Era, one of the best films noir.......
  <... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 988772
- - roncoach
  - 263 reviews
  - suffolk
  - 04 May 2011 at 01:13
- - 1
  - 0
  She tried to sit in my lap while I was standing up
  
  If you’re a fan of Raymond Chandler novels then you’re bound to be a little disappointed by any big screen adaptation. The simple fact is that no ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 986789
- [Highly rated reviewer]
  - Midnightcheeseandbiscuits
  - 26 reviews
  - London
  - 27 Apr 2011 at 19:23
- - 0
  - 1
  Was ok, but a little slow!
  
  This film was ok, but was just a little too slow and dull for me. Some parts were great, but the plotline is quite complicated and definatley takes some ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 974241
- - FefeAlabama
  - 27 reviews
  - Bristol
  - 18 Mar 2011 at 19:43
- - 1
  - 0
  smoky and sexy and stiff
  
  THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS | Show review anywayHide
  
  Watching the chemistry between Lauren Bacall and Bogey takes up much of my attention watching this film – I wonder if all the offstage baggage is as ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 963224
- - lesliejung
  - 83 reviews
  - london, england
  - 11 Feb 2011 at 23:40
- - 1
  - 0
  The Big Sleep
  
  Always rate Humphrey Bogart's film classics, never grow old with me. One of the greatest actors in my opinion and will remain top of my list for all time.
  
  Report this review
- 936626
- - flash25
  - 20 reviews
  - London
  - 02 Nov 2010 at 20:26
View all members' reviews (43)

- - 10
  - 0
  Only One Oscar!
  
  Bogart is so brilliant in everything he does that its a shame he only recieved one Oscar for 'The African Queen'. With 'The Big Sleep', there is... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 12656
- [Highly rated reviewer]
  - ASHLEY ROBERTS
  - Kent, England
  - 28 Jul 2004 at 11:10
- - 6
  - 0
  Give me Marlowe over Bond any day!
  
  Another Howard Hawks dazzler for me, with Bogart marrying Bacall the year that this film was made. Flirtatious, funny with some more great dialogue. I was ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 142895
- [Highly rated reviewer]
  - McClennan
  - 424 reviews
  - St Helens
  - 22 Aug 2005 at 18:19
- - 6
  - 0
  The Big Leap
  
  Howard Hawks' major entry into the film noir genre, 'The Big Sleep' is a brilliantly written adaptation of Raymond Chandler's detective novel. ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 304582
- - Tinderbox
  - England
  - 07 Jun 2004 at 13:58
- - 5
  - 2
  A very messy narrative
  
  A very messy narrative
  
  The acting and chemistry between Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bocall carries The Big Sleep along and luckily, distracts the ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 853474
- [Highly rated reviewer]
  - Daniel Pollard
  - Manchester, England
  - 25 Jan 2010 at 17:06
- - 4
  - 2
  Who killed the Chauffeur?
  
  Often cited as the definitive Film Noir, the original Big Sleep, has it all. The film contains unexplained murder, the seedy underbelly of 1940's America, ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 297002
- - Mertoun
  - Scotland
  - 03 Jan 2004 at 22:35
- - 2
  - 0
  Don't be a Joe Brody
  
  The Breen Office must have been keeping an eye on this one. William Faulkner adapts Chandler's story and weeds out the steamy details. And he does a ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 24464
- - Lord Pie
  - Canterbury, England
  - 06 Nov 2004 at 22:25
- - 2
  - 1
  Fighting ghosts
  
  A sometimes confusing film, The Big Sleep is classic Marlowe and a walk in the park for Bogart and Bacall. It is atmospheric, engaging and thoughtfully directed... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 152811
- - Gary Taylor
  - Sheffield
  - 22 Sep 2005 at 21:41
- - 1
  - 0
  The Big Sleep
  
  Howard Hawks' archetypal noir has a plot as complex as any you are likely to find but, convoluted as it may be, it all fits together well into a massively ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 421331
- - SAI81
  - 360 reviews
  - Tonbridge
  - 18 Mar 2007 at 17:18
- - 1
  - 0
  So you're a private detective!
  
  Bogart never bettered as Philip Marlowe, private eye. Teamed again with Lauren Bacall they strike sparks with rapid overlapping dialogue. 'I don't mind ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 636082
- - Donensian
  - 100 reviews
  - Doncaster
  - 28 Sep 2008 at 12:46
- - 1
  - 0
  Marlowe as he should be!
  
  How could I ever have doubted Humphrey Bogart as Phillip Marlowe - the noir master!
  
  If you've read the book then you'll find an absolutely ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 658623
- - a customer
  - London
  - 13 Nov 2008 at 22:58

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- The Big Sleep
  
  The definitive Humphrey Bogart/Lauren Bacall vehicle, The Big Sleep casts Bogart as Raymond Chandler's cynical private eye Philip Marlowe. Summoned to the home of the fabulously wealthy General Sternwood (Charles Waldron), Marlowe is hired to deal with a blackmailer shaking down the General's ...