The Big Sleep (1978) was the second film version of Raymond Chandler's 1939 novel of the same name. It was directed by Michael Winner and stars Robert Mitchum as the detective Philip Marlowe. James Stewart appears as General Sternwood.
The action was set in London, England rather than California. The movie contained material more explicit than what could only be hinted at in the 1946 version, such as homosexuality, pornography and nudity. Mitchum was 60 at the time, far older than Chandler's 33-year-old Marlowe (or the 1946 film's 38-year-old Marlowe played by a 46-year-old Bogart).
The film was distributed theatrically by United Artists, which held the rights to the 1946 version at the time.
Plot
In modern-day England, private detective Philip Marlowe is asked to the stately home of General Sternwood, who hires Marlowe to learn who is blackmailing him. While at the mansion, he meets the General's spoiled and inquisitive daughter Charlotte and wild younger daughter Camilla.
Marlowe's investigation of the homosexual pornographer Arthur Geiger leads him to Geiger's employee, Agnes Lozelle, and to a man she has taken up with, Joe Brody. He also discovers Camilla at the scene of Geiger's murder, where she has posed for nude photographs, and takes her home safely to a grateful Charlotte.
Returning to the crime scene, Marlowe is interrupted by gambler Eddie Mars, who owns the house where Geiger's body was found. Mars's wife hasn't been seen in a while and may have run off with Charlotte's missing husband, Rusty Regan. And due to Charlotte Regan's gambling debts, Mars appears to have a hold over Charlotte as well.
Camilla tries to get her pictures back from Brody, who now is in possession of them. Marlowe intervenes but Brody is shot and killed by someone unseen.
A man named Harry Jones comes to Marlowe with a proposition. He is working with Agnes now and she is willing to sell information as to Mrs. Mars' whereabouts. But on the night Marlowe shows up for their meeting, Harry is poisoned by Lash Canino, a hit man who is working for Eddie Mars.
Marlowe pays Agnes for the address. He tracks down Canino at a remote garage, where he is overpowered and taken prisoner. Mars' wife and Charlotte Regan are there as well. At a moment when Canino is out, Marlowe persuades Charlotte to set him free. In a shootout, he then kills Canino.
Camilla Sternwood appears to be grateful to Marlowe, but she ends up pointing a gun at him. Marlowe was prepared for this and has emptied its chamber. It turns out that the emotionally disturbed Camilla was behind the disappearance of her sister's husband, Rusty.
Marlowe drives away from the Sternwood residence the same way he came in, hoping that the gravely ill General can handle the truth about his two wicked daughters.
Cast
References
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