The Great London Movies No.17: The Big Sleep

It’s The Daily Constitutional Film Festival. And it’s programmed by London Walks Guides and London Walkers. Which is the greatest London movie of them all? The best performance in a London-set film? Your favorite London movie location?
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Here’s LW movie expert Richard IV with another recommendation…
No. 17: The Big Sleep (1978)
I watched this film again recently and having watched the DVD extras and listened to director Michael Winner’s commentary, I’ve slightly revised my opinion of its oddness! Apparently, filming in England was not for budgetary reasons, but because Winner wanted to avoid any comparisons with the classic 1940s Bogart version. He also wanted to show an England that was seldom seen in films. Perhaps this explains why the film isn’t interested in picture-postcard views but instead showcases plenty of real locations, interestingly stitched together. The front of Eddie Mars’ ‘Cheval Club’ is in Queen Anne Street, round the corner from the Langham, but the back is down the steps from the Coal Hole, near the Savoy.
Winner claimed they had retained ‘far more of the dialog and plot than any other [Chandler] picture, it’s practically all Chandler…’ James Stewart initially objected to his dialog being re-written and sounding too English, only to be surprised by Winner demonstrating that all General Sternwood’s lines were original Chandler (who had studied at Dulwich).
The special edition DVD has a location featurette and an audio commentary from Winner. Victoria Grove in Kensington is the location for Geiger’s bookshop. Marlowe has a flat in Victoria, and even the interior of the Black Friar pub is featured. Though the Sternwood house is well out of London (Knebworth), the conservatory of the house is at Greenwich! There are some odd things about the film, to be sure, and it all feels a bit unreal, but Robert Mitchum and Oliver Reed are worth the price of admission any day.
Richard IV
Richard IV is an actor, swordsman and an expert on early detective fiction.  Velvety voiced and perfect timing, he makes for some awfully handsome listening! No surprise to learn that he's narrated numerous documentaries and audiobooks.
Forthcoming Film Walks with London Walks… Alfred Hitchcock's London on September 22, from Holborn underground, both at 10.45; and London on Film on August 25, Bank underground exit 3 at 10.45.
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