The Big Sleep (BFI Film Classics) [Paperback]

David Thomson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 22, 2008

This text shows how The Big Sleep signalled a change in the nature of Hollywood cinema, as the director Howard Hawks shot extra scenes, "fun" scenes, to replace the ones in which the murders are explained, and in so doing left the plot unresolved.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

This is the first book-length consideration of the classic 1946 movie The Big Sleep and the first published book to compare it to the 1945 cut of the movie, which has been restored and released. David Thomson discusses the making of the film as well as the careers and romance of its stars, Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall. He also looks into the psyches of its director and screenwriters. Thomson beautifully describes a classic in progress, tracking "the way in which fantasizing, power plays, and maneuver affected the making of the film." Along the way, Thomson meditates about why The Big Sleep has attained its mythic status and why it continues to move him so powerfully.

Review

"Superb . . . by the world's greatest film critic." -- The Guardian

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Product Details

• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: British Film Institute (January 22, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0851706320
• ISBN-13: 978-0851706320
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5.4 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,379,823 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thomson's take on "Big Sleep" a convincing love-letter, March 22, 1998

By 

Peter Pender (Shanghai, China) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Big Sleep (BFI Film Classics) (Paperback)

David Thomson is arguably the most gifted writer on the cinema -- his "Biogrpahical Dictionary of Film" one of the subject's most valued reference guides. Singling out Howard Hawks' film version of Raymond Chandler's "The Big Sleep" as the most entertaining movie ever made is clearly a bold move on Thomson's part, but his arguments are steadfast and persuasive. Anyone choosing to read this work will emerge with a deeper understanding of the great detective film and an irresistable desire to see it again as soon as possible.

3.0 out of 5 stars More Trivia Than Analysis, January 2, 2012

By 

Patrick Mc Coy (Tokyo, Japan) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Big Sleep (BFI Film Classics) (Paperback)

The BFI Film Classics series is great and after watching The Big Sleep I was curious to see what the esteemed David Thompson had to say in his book version for BFI. I was already a fan from The New Biographical Dictionary Of Film. He readily admits that it is his favorite film of all time and he goes on to discuss how the film came about while shedding light about the principal characters. He has done his research on the director Howard Hawks-who seems to have molded Lauren Bacall on his second wife Nancy "Slim" Hawks (who is a sophisticated looking lady who seems to have been blessed with with according to legend). Furthermore, he talks around the plot and goes into detail about how the studio wanted more Bogey & Bacall and sacrificed exposition for it and it worked! Thompson talks about what a "happy" film it is, but I agree with him and was attracted to all the alluring females that throw themselves in Bogey path throughout the film, which Thompson suggests reflects Hawks' reputation as a lady's man. I enjoyed the book, but I don't think it would appeal to anyone looking for a close critical reading of the film.