30 of 35 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good attempt at remaking a classic..., April 23, 2002
"The Big Sleep" is now and forever shall be Humphrey Bogart's movie. There's just no way around that.
Mitchum's great, as usual, but the British setting made me think of the Duke movie, "Brannigan". If you like "Brannigan" (I admit, I do), you'll like this version of "The Big Sleep". I suppose the producers had to make the location different to set it aprt from the 1946 film (also, British moneyman Lord Lew Grade financed the film; the Brits seem to have a quirky appreciation for our cowboys and private eye heroes).
However, this 1978 effort is worth a viewing for Marlowe fans. Mitchum captures the detective's character very well. Oliver Reed is a very menacing Eddie Mars, and just listening to his lines delivered in Reed's Shakesperian whispered hiss makes Reed the picture of the smooth and scary gangster.
Jimmy Stewart is in his golden years here, a big star just doing his thing. We only see him in two scenes, and they're fair. This was about the time he was guest-starring in features like "The Magic of Lassie", "Airport '77", and other big, overblown, movies packed with familiar faces and stars of yesteryear. Joan Collins also looks to have been added only for name value here.
Candy Clark is sexy and nubile enough (and nude often enough), as the troubled younger daughter Camilla, but although she plays the part well, she comes off as a little more spacey than incorrigable in this 70's Marlowe. Sarah Miles isn't really interesting or even all that sexy as the older sister Charlotte. She wasn't very convincing, and probably the weakest cast member. This is unfortunate, because Charlotte is an important character who is supposed to move the plot along.
As for the film itself, I think overall it was pretty good, but the modern setting (and being set in Britain), work against the Marlowe mystique. If you can get past those elements, and perhaps have not seen the classic Bogart film, this version will probably be more entertaining. I liked the opening and closing sequences, and the effort put forward throughout the film to bring Marlowe back and into then-modern times.
One thing that did not make sense was the proliferation of firearms in modern day Britain, which is just not as believable as a film set in 1940's America. Also, the scandal involving the nude photos, drug use, and the sexual antics of the younger daughter doesn't hold up well here.
The movie tries very hard, and is engaging enough for the casual viewer. There are even a few plot twists that diviate from the original film. If you are a big Marlowe fan, you may not be too pleased with the 70's re-make qualities on display, "50 pounds a day plus expenses", and other Britishisms/moderisms. On the other hand, if you want a good Mitchum detective movie, this one will fit the bill.
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13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Different Strokes, December 2, 2007
When you first start watching the 1978 version, I, like probably many other viewers, do a double take because the scenes are definately not LA. THE BIG SLEEP is as the case says, "A spellbinding mystery full of bare-knuckle action and heart-pounding suspense."
I had already reviewed THE BIG SLEEP by Chandler on Amazon as well as the 1946 Bogart/Bacall movie classic.
I was curious about the Mitchum version.
Last night, I got my chance to sit by the fire and watch this movie. At first, I thought that this version was just too weird; and thought to myself that this version made the 1946 version look like I should have given it six stars rather than five. But then I just sat back in my armchair and got into the movie. I had to admit to myself that I enjoyed Jimmy Stewart's rendition of General Sternwood more than I liked Charles Waldron and then I started to notice other differences which were not all bad; and in some cases an improvement or just different strokes at the same masterpiece.
For prospective viewers I would like to identify some of the differences without discussing the plot which might ruin the movie viewing for some:
BOGART/BACALL VERSION:
a) Bogart for me was the right choice for Marlowe. Here was a terrific acting job and the costume designer did a great job portraying the lifestyle and financial background of the role.
b) This was the American version and was California based.
c) There were three well-known screenwriters including William Faulkner working on the script; with two (2) versions which can be viewed; one highlighting Bacall.
d)Lauren Bacall had better attire and hairstyles; for me her performance was more believable in the role and better suited.
e) After viewing the 1946 classic, I was always impressed with the acting job that Martha Vickers had done in her portrayal of Carmen Sternwood. For me, she was more believable and credible in the role even though the Mitchum version seems to accurately depict scenes from the book which brought certain aspects of her character and the plot front and center. There was not the nudity in this version. It was odd but despite the scenes in the English version being truer to the actual book; the performance itself by Vickers rang more true for me.
f) The movie was done in black and white and the supporting cast aside from the primary characters like Bogart, Bacall, Malone and Vickers was not as strong or as good.
MITCHUM VERSION:
a) Mitchum as Marlowe did not fit quite right with me. I thought that he was too old for the role. And how does a poor private eye who "doesn't put up much of a front" afford to dress like he is going to Ascot or to Wimbleton with his fine cut suits and expensive watches.
b) For some reason, Sir Lew Grande's version is pure Brit. I am not sure how or why this happened but it was replete with many scenes of London and the British countryside. Scotland Yard was featured, not the LAPD.
c) Sarah Miles was for me a poor choice for the eldest Sternwood daughter. To me, she was in her own way as ditsy as her sister; maybe a tad less crazed. And what was she continually doing with her mouth and tongue. I could not figure that out as well. God only knows where her hairstyle came from; another reviewer mentioned that it was a pretty big Afro on a white woman and I have to agree; and nevermind her clothes were a little funky too.
d) Despite the above, the scenes themselves seemed truer to the Chandler version which was interesting to me and I did enjoy those attempts by the producers to capture the core plot details.
e) Candy Clark as Carmen Sternwood was deranged and a real crackpot versus the unruly nymphomaniac thumb sucking Vickers' version. Vickers' performance was much more remarkable despite Clark's nude scene.
f) The ending was very true to Chandler's book and the movie was in color. Owen Taylor was actually shown in the movie and his dead body was found and shown in the family limo.
g) There were better performances by supporting cast like Sir John Mills, Harry Andrews as the butler was superb; I even liked Oliver Reed as Eddie Mars better here and Edward Fox and Joan Rivers were the perfect Joe and Agnes.
I think it is fair to say that everyone when they read THE BIG SLEEP creates a visual picture of who the perfect private eye might be who helps the Sternwood family avoid continued blackmail. For some, I am sure, the choice might be Mitchum (who is a fine actor). However, there was no doubt in my mind that for me it was Bogart.
Though I was not at first a great fan of Bacall's interpretation; I definately preferred her performance to that of Sarah Miles; although as I have noted previously many of the supporting cast were exceptional and their great dramatic performances dwarfed and outclassed the American supporting acting attempts.
I think that the Mitchum version was both entertaining and a good effort; but in the final analysis (for me anyways), the LA locale and the non-Britishisms suited the Chandler original more. Both had their strong points; but though I loved the English supporting cast.....THE BIG SLEEP will always be a Humphrey Bogart classic.
My recommendation is to watch both (you will be entertained) and make up your own mind. You will find something to like and enjoy in either and I have to say I did like the opening and closing scenes of the Mitchum version - very well done.
Mitchum is a wonderful actor and as a detective is not a bad choice; it was just a hard act to follow after Bogart nailed it.
Recommended.
Bentley/2007
The Big Sleep
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