The Big Sleep
1946 · Movie · NR · 114 min · ★ 7.6 · 91% critics
A private investigator is hired by a powerful family to deal with a blackmail threat tied to their youngest daughter. As he digs deeper, he runs into murder, intimidation, deception, and fast-moving danger, with the case starting to tangle up with possible romance.
Based on The Big Sleep
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Details
- Years
- 1946
- Release date
- 1946-08-22
- Language
- English
- Rated
- NR
- Runtime
- 114 min
- Critic score
- 91/100
- TMDB rating
- 7.6/10 (1,157 votes)
- Budget
- $1,600,000
About
You’ll like this if you want a classic noir mystery with sizzling banter and a dark, stylish atmosphere; Not for you if the plot’s too confusing, like in The Long Goodbye or Lady in the Lake, or if you prefer everything clearly explained.
Pros: sharp noir dialogue; standout star chemistry; moody, rain-soaked vibe | Cons: plot confusing; story feels disjointed; some unclear motives
Themes
- based on novel or book
- gambling
- poison
- blackmail
- detective
- drug addiction
- sister
- film noir
- murder
- private investigator
- whodunit
- los angeles, california
- +5 more
Cast & crew
Humphrey Bogart
as Philip Marlowe
Lauren Bacall
as Vivian Sternwood Rutledge
John Ridgely
as Eddie Mars
Martha Vickers
as Carmen Sternwood
Louis Jean Heydt
as Joe Brody
- CW
Charles Waldron
as General Sternwood
Regis Toomey
as Chief Inspector Bernie Ohls
Sonia Darrin
as Agnes Lowzier (uncredited)
Elisha Cook Jr.
as Harry Jones
Bob Steele
as Lash Canino
Directed by Howard Hawks