The Big Sleep
Seen it?1946 | 114 min | Mystery, Crime, Thriller
Friday Night FlickWhy it’s a Friday Night Flick
Critics loved it (96% on Rotten Tomatoes), audiences rate it highly (7.6 out of 10), it made about 43 times its budget and it's still drawing plenty of interest. Make plans for this one.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for crime fans and anyone who likes to be kept guessing. If you loved L.A. Confidential or Gone Baby Gone, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Tense, gritty.
- The pace
- Fast-moving, at 1 hr 54 min.
- What might put you off
- Made in 1946: an older pace and style.
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
Private Investigator Philip Marlowe is hired by wealthy General Sternwood regarding a matter involving his youngest daughter Carmen. Before the complex case is over, Marlowe sees murder, blackmail, deception, and what might be love.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsVery strong
96% on Rotten Tomatoes, 86 on Metacritic
- AudiencesStrong
7.6 out of 10
- AwardsNot counted
No major awards or nominations
- Box office & staying powerStrong
$11 million worldwide on a $250K budget; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactStrong
About 273K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Weeknight WatchAnother detective crime story, though it's more of a weeknight watch.
Crooked House Weeknight WatchAnother detective crime thriller, though it's more of a weeknight watch.
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Cast & crew
Directed by Howard Hawks
- Humphrey BogartPhilip Marlowe
- Lauren BacallVivian Sternwood Rutledge
- John RidgelyEddie Mars
- Martha VickersCarmen Sternwood
- Louis Jean HeydtJoe Brody
- Charles WaldronGeneral Sternwood
- Regis ToomeyChief Inspector Bernie Ohls
- Sonia DarrinAgnes Lowzier (uncredited)
- Elisha Cook Jr.Harry Jones
- Bob SteeleLash Canino