The Big Sleep (1978): Cast & Plot
The Big Sleep is a 1978 crime mystery film directed by Michael Winner, starring Robert Mitchum as Philip Marlowe, James Stewart and Sarah Miles. It runs 1 hour 40 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 40m (100 min)
- Director
- Michael Winner
- Original language
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English - Studio
- ITC Entertainment
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The Big Sleep About?
The premise of The Big Sleep without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
Hard‑boiled gumshoe Philip Marlowe, the quintessential trench‑coat‑clad private detective, takes on a tangled blackmail scheme that ensnares the two reckless daughters of a wealthy general, a sleazy pornographer, and a ruthless gangster, testing his wit and fists in classic film‑noir fashion.
The Big Sleep Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- cleavage
- female full frontal nudity
- female pubic hair
- pubic hair
- nipples visible through clothing
- bentley
- upskirt
- voyeur
- voyeurism
- female rear nudity
- shot to death
- nymphomaniac
+38 more Show fewer
- female nudity
- remake
- sequel
- neo noir
- gay man
- gay character
- female topless nudity
- color remake of black and white film
- philip marlowe character
- female stockinged legs
- murderess
- nude photograph
- taxi driver
- wheelchair
- knebworth house
- narrated by character
- jaguar e type
- rolls royce
- nude photoshoot
- glass syringe
- pokies
- tapping fingernails
- walking foot chase
- hiding in bushes
- breaking a window
- shot in the head
- biting someone
- high on drugs
- key ring
- driving off a pier
- new scotland yard
- ford mini van
- car chase
- tailing a suspect
- humber
- blood stained rug
- shot multiple times
- shot through a door
The Big Sleep Cast & Characters
Robert Mitchum leads the cast as Philip Marlowe, with James Stewart as General Sternwood and Sarah Miles as Charlotte Sternwood. Directed by Michael Winner; 39 actors are credited in all.
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Director Michael Winner
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Robert Mitchum as Philip Marlowe -
James Stewart as General Sternwood -
Sarah Miles as Charlotte Sternwood -
Candy Clark as Camilla Sternwood
Also Starring in The Big Sleep
· 35 more- John Justin Arthur Geiger
- Joan Collins Agnes Lazelle
- Edward Fox Joe Brody
- Oliver Reed Eddie Mars
- Diana Quick Mona Grant
- David Savile Rusty Regan
- Colin Blakely Harry Jones
- Richard Boone Lash Cansino
- John Mills Inspector Carson
- Harry Andrews Norris
- James Donald Inspector Gregory
- Dudley Sutton Lanny
- Richard Todd Commander Barker
- Norman Mitchell Doorman at Eddie's Club (uncredited)
- Don Henderson Lou
- John Tatham Casino Patron (uncredited)
Show all 39 cast members Show fewer cast members
- David Jackson Inspector Willis (uncredited)
- Roy Evans Deliveryman (uncredited)
- Michael Segal George (uncredited)
- Pat Gorman Pool Player in Pub (uncredited)
- Derek Deadman Customer in Bookshop
- Clifford Earl Police Doctor (uncredited)
- Martin Potter Owen Taylor
- Walter Henry Detective Taking Marlowe's Statement (uncredited)
- Patrick Durkin Reg
- Cy Town Casino Patron (uncredited)
- Anthony Lang Police Constable Passing Geiger's (uncredited)
- Mike Lewin Detective Waring (uncredited)
- Brian Miller Casino Waiter (uncredited)
- Joe Ritchie Taxi Driver
- Judy Buxton Cheval Club Receptionist (uncredited)
- Nik Forster Croupier
- David Millett Police Detective (uncredited)
- Simon Fisher-Turner Karl Lundgren
- Barry Purchese Eddie's Bodyguard (uncredited)
More from Michael Winner
More films directed by Michael Winner, best-rated first: Death Wish, The Mechanic, Scorpio and Lawman.
The Big Sleep Plot Summary
What happens in The Big Sleep from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 13 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
In the 1970s England, Philip Marlowe Robert Mitchum is summoned to the grand estate of General Sternwood James Stewart, who hires him to uncover who is blackmailing him. At the mansion, the detective meets the general’s daughters: the spoiled, inquisitive Charlotte Sternwood and the wilder Camilla Sternwood Candy Clark. The case quickly broadens beyond simple blackmail as Marlowe delves into a murky circle surrounding a controversial figure, the pornographer Arthur Geiger John Justin. His pursuit of Geiger leads him to Geiger’s employee, Agnes Lazelle, and to Joe Brody Edward Fox, a man entangled with Agnes.
Full summary
The whole story of The Big Sleep, scene by scene
The Big Sleep Trailers & Videos
2 videos: 2 trailers.
- Trailer The Big Sleep (1978) ORIGINAL TRAILER [HD 1080p]
How Well Do You Know The Big Sleep?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Which actor portrays the private detective Philip Marlowe?
Cars in The Big Sleep
36 cars on screen, including the 1973 Austin FX4 and the 1970 Jaguar E-Type.
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1973 Austin FX4 Important role -
1970 Jaguar E-Type Important role -
1957 Mercedes-Benz 220 S Cabriolet W180.030 Important role -
1963 Alvis TD 21 3-Litre Series II Minor role
Seen The Big Sleep?
Movies Like The Big Sleep
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including The Big Sleep, Murder, My Sweet and Sleep, My Love.
The Big Sleep FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of The Big Sleep, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Big Sleep?
The Big Sleep runs 1 hour 40 minutes (100 minutes).
When was The Big Sleep released?
The Big Sleep was released on March 13, 1978.
Who directed The Big Sleep?
The Big Sleep was directed by Michael Winner.
More films by Michael Winner Who is in the cast of The Big Sleep?
The Big Sleep stars Robert Mitchum as Philip Marlowe, James Stewart as General Sternwood and Sarah Miles as Charlotte Sternwood, among 39 credited actors.
Does The Big Sleep have a post-credit scene?
No. The Big Sleep has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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