The Big Sleep

When Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall first appeared on screen in Howard Hawks "To Have and Have Not"(1944) their on-screen chemistry was very apparent. They married the next year(1945) and to capitalize on both their on and off screen chemistry, Warner Brothers quickly re-teamed them in "The Big Sleep" the same year where they were again directed by Howard Hawks. Since WWII was still raging in the Pacific and Warner's had so many war films to release, they shelved "The Big Sleep" until 1946. When it was finally released to the public that year, it was a sensation and made over three million dollars at the box office. Warner Home Video through it's Archive Collection has "finally" released this classic film on Blu-ray(one of the most requested titles from fans) for the first time and the results are quite simply astounding. I've owned every previously released version(VHS, DVD) of "The Big Sleep" and always thought that the picture quality was lacking and hoped for a complete restoration. Those hopes were answered with this new Blu-ray. Digitally restored(by MPI) in 2K from a fine-grain master positive taken from the original nitrate negative, MPI has done a frame by frame restoration(Bitrate: 29.94) and fans will be very pleased with the results. However, because some of the original film elements had lots of wear and tear, not all of the picture quality is pristine. Those who watch this new Blu-ray will see these scenes right away as they are less stellar than the ones that come before and after, but overall 95% of the film is nearly pristine. There are no vertical lines, white specs, torn or damaged frames were a problem with previous DVD releases. Since most of the film takes place at night, this is where the cinematography by Sid Hickox really is effective. Blacks, whites and grays are well balanced with shadows, minimal lighting and even the heavy rain becoming part of the story. Daylight scenes are even more impressive with even the smallest details being very prominent. Bogart's scenes with the young Dorothy Malone in the Acme Bookstore are so crystal clear that you can even see Malone's pimples underneath her make-up. Costumes such has Bogart's pin-striped suit and checkered raincoat as well as Bacall's many beautifully designed outfits look brand new now on Blu-ray. Interiors, such as the wood paneled rooms of the Sternwood mansion as well as the seedy hotel rooms where some of the action takes place are equally eye popping. As for the story, it might take repeated viewings to figure out what is going on in the film but the screenplay(by Leigh Brackett, Jules Furthman and William Faulkner) retains much of Chandler's crackling dialogue. When Bogart's character(Phillip Marlowe) is asked by Mr. Sternwood if he's met his younger daughter, Carmen, Marlowe replies: "Yes, she sat in my lap while I was standing up." And the telephone scene between Bogart and Bacall as they banter back and forth with the police is still funny after all these years. The Audio(English DTS-HD MA 2.0 and Dolby Digital for French, German, Spanish and Polish) is very clear and free of any noise artifacts(hiss, pops, etc.) though a bit on the loud side. "The Big Sleep" is 114 minutes(Aspect ratio: 1.37:1) and contains the following subtitles: English SDH, Japanese, French, German, Spanish and Polish. All the special features from the DVD are carried over including the 1945 Pre-release version of the film; a comparison feature by Robert Gitt about the two versions; and the theatrical trailer. Please note that the 1945 Pre-release version has not been upgraded. The Blu-ray disc itself is housed in a standard solid Blu-ray case(not an eco-cutout case). With Warner's finally releasing "The Big Sleep" and "Key Largo" this week on Blu-ray, fans of the films and Bogart and Bacall have a lot to celebrate. It comes highly recommended.

In 1939, Raymond Chandler introduced his famous Los Angeles private detective, Philip Marlowe, in his renowned novel, "The Big Sleep". In 1946, Chandler's novel became a film directed by Howard Hawks and written by William Faulkner, together with two other writers. The film starred the duo of Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall.The film has become almost as renowned as Chandler's novel. It is tense and atmospheric with its shadowy black and white cinematograpy and its dramatic musical score by George Steiner. The movie captures the grit of Los Angeles, with scenes ranging from the homes of the wealthy, to the steeets, to tawdry gambling clubs and pornography and drug dens. The characters, beginning with Humphrey Bogart's portrayal of Marlowe are complexly and convincingly portrayed. Bacall plays the older daughter of a millionaire who has hired Marlowe to find the blackmailer of his promiscuous younger daugher, Carmen (Martha Vickers). The gangsters include the sinister Eddie Mars (John Ridgley), the blackmailer Joe Brody, the hitman, Canino, the unfortunate small time crook, Harry Jones, and his unhappy girlfriend, Agnes. The crisp, colloquial, snappy dialogue drives the film along. The plot of the movie is notoriously difficult to follow, more so than Chandler's book. It becomes clearer with watchings. The atmosphere, dialogue, and character portrayals are more important to the film than the twists and turns of the story. "The Big Sleep" is included in the National Film Registry maintained by the Library of Congress as worthy of preservation for its cultural, historical, or aesthetical significance.I loved getting to know this classic film from the 1940s. There is an earlier 1945 version of the film which was released overseas during the war and re-released in the 1990s. Those familiar with the original and with the 1946 version, reviewed here, often debate their similarities and differences and respective merits..Robin Friedman

I recently started to watch classics and came across this when I entered Lauren Bacall, she also went by the name Betty Bacall after she married Humphrey Bogart. This was a very good film and had good Los Angeles Noire vibes. The plot is good, but the movie does drag on a little bit. I do recommend this film.

There are already enough enthusiastic reviews of this great film so there is no point in my covering the same ground. There are a couple of aspects of the disc that deserve mention however. The quality of the Blu-ray transfer is excellent - much better than any of the previous versions. Also, unlike the earlier Region 2 versions, the disc includes the earlier version of the film. This was never released, for reasons explained in a very informative documentary included on the disc. A must for anyone who loves this film.

For those who are not aware, the bluray of this brilliant film noir is region free and contains the theatrical cut in HD and the pre-release version in standard defination as a special feature which is fascinating as this was quite possibly the first film to do reshoots before anyone even heard of the term.You also get the trailer, a scene by scene comparison and an introduction by robert gitt. Also comes with english subtitles as well.Well worth buying

Story as bizarre as I remember with witty dialogue and Bogart/Bacall at their sexy best - superb - however if you are looking for a restored Blu-ray quality version then don’t bother

Great remaster, also has 1945 pre-release version which gives fascinating insight into how the best artistic people in the movie industry can work. A must for Bogart and Bacall fans !

Every home should have one and a great edition dVD!