List Price: $14.98Amazon.com's Price: $13.49 You Save: $1.49 (10%)as of 11/23/2009 23:05 EST
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
This item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping.
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Audience Rating: R (Restricted)
Binding: DVD
Brand: LIONSGATE ENT.
EAN: 0012236125358
Feature: Robert Mitchum is back as the legendary private investigator, Philip Marlowe. This adaptation of Raymond Chandler'sic hard-boiled detective mystery features an all-star cast.Marlowe is hired by a retired general (James Stewart) to find out who has been blackmailing the old man's wild daughters (Sarah Miles and Candy Clark). At the same time he has to try to locate the missing husband of on
Format: Color, DVD, NTSC
Item Dimensions: 500
Label: Lions Gate
Languages: EnglishOriginal Language
Manufacturer: Lions Gate
MPN: 12535
Number Of Items: 1
Publisher: Lions Gate
Region Code: 1
Release Date: April 23, 2002
Running Time: 102 minutes
Studio: Lions Gate
Theatrical Release Date: 1978
Features:- Robert Mitchum is back as the legendary private investigator, Philip Marlowe. This adaptation of Raymond Chandler'sic hard-boiled detective mystery features an all-star cast.Marlowe is hired by a retired general (James Stewart) to find out who has been blackmailing the old man's wild daughters (Sarah Miles and Candy Clark). At the same time he has to try to locate the missing husband of on
Related Items:
Browse for similar items by category: Click to Display
Editorial Review:
Product Description:
BIG SLEEP THE (DVD MOVIE)
Average Rating: 
Rating:  -
I thought that the plot was much easier to follow in this version vs. the 1940's Bogart version. The updated language helped keep it looking very contemporary. The only down side was that the supporting cast was not as good as the original. Robert Mitchum's portrayal was his own. he did not try to imitate H. Bogart; a big plus.
Rating:  -
The quaility of the product is very good. The shipper
was very easy to to deal with and did an outstanding job. The shipment arrived adhead of time. The whole experience was outstanding.
Rating: -
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 ... Read More
Rating:  -
There are probably as many reasons as there are people remaking films. Probably the two most compelling reasons are that the film-makers believe they can 1. make money or 2. do better.
While Michael Winner is an excellent director for the most part, he might have only achieved the first objective. Might because people like me are Chandler fans enough to rent the film and see what it's like. I can't imagine anyone wanting to buy this film. I really wouldn't recommend watching more than one time--and once really is enough, trust me.
There just wasn't any magic in this remake. Setting the story in England didn't work. Worse, moving the time forward to the 70's with all the wonderful decor and music touches was just gauche. While I like Robert Mitchum, Bogie was a tough act to follow and he just didn't make it. There was very little spark between the cast members, either. Robert Mitchum (Phillip Marlowe) and Sarah Miles (Charlotte Sternwood) had zero chemistry.
James Stewart made a different General, but the original character of the man was lost.
Okay, coming to the end of this, I can think of one reason to watch this film. Hollywood folks who consider making a remake should be required to see how one should not be done. I think the only reason why this film has not landed in total obscurity is because some people actually are big enough Chandler fans to give it a try.
Rating: -
Unhampered by Production Code restraints, this 1978 version of Raymond Chandler's novel is more faithful to its source material than the 1946 classic with Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall. Viewed today, the contemporary London setting works in director Michael Winner's favor. Of course, the film's raison d'être is Robert Mitchum's second go-round as Philip Marlowe - an iconic portrayal that perfectly captures the world-weary spirit of Chandler's famous detective. An excellent supporting cast includes a poignant appearance by James Stewart as General Sternwood. The 1978 "Big Sleep" will not erase memories of Bogie and Bacall, yet it makes a surprisingly effective companion piece.
|
