Well, this is odd. A few years later, Mitchum had success with the Chandler adaptation Farewell, My Lovely, so it makes sense to do another one. But this one is set in England? In the countryside? I don’t think that’s the original setting?
See? Very English.
Hey, it’s her.
It’s probably just me, but I’ve never seen an explanation about what happened to British movies in the 70s. They had a really good thing going on until the 60s — lots of classics. And then in the 60s there were a bunch of interesting experimental stuff.
But this is basically filmed like a Carry On movie.
So… what happened to the British film industry in the 70s? Why did it die off? This is just so badly done — I mean, on a technical level. Echoey sound, boring set designs, actors that just stand there spouting off lines at each other.
Heh, there were several years where every British TV crime-related TV series and movie had this exact shot. It went out of style? Or did they get a new sign?
It’s such a frustrating movie. Above you have a car chase, and you’d think they’d use the opportunity to show some interesting sights, but it’s just this — driving around in nondescript environs. So it doesn’t even work on the “well, I’d like to see the UK in the 70s” level.
So, it’s totally what I’d expect of an 70s British movie — a bit inept.
I’m waiting for the movie to stabilise at some level… but it just gets worse and worse!
Shots like this… is this meant to be a joke? Is this entire movie a send-up of noir movies? Did they try to make a “camp” movie? Or is it just really stupid?
I have no idea! But Captain Ockham says “it’s really stupid”.
Well, you can’t say that this movie doesn’t have big names.
Rude!
That is some hairdo.
Should have gotten an Oscar for Best Light Reflector Usage, though.
It’s a really, really bad movie, but I’m upping the die because it’s a well lit movie. And because of this interview with Sarah Miles in the extras:
She really didn’t like the movie at all, and I love the way she goes (at the end) “And Michael Winner went on to do lots of movies! Good for him”. It’s the snarkiest actor interview I’ve ever seen on a disc.
The Big Sleep. Michael Winner. 1978. ⚁
