The Big Sleep (1978)

In the English countryside, Philip Marlowe (Robert Mitchum) arrives at the estate of General Sternwood (James Stewart).  Even before he meets the general, Camilla Sternwood (Candy Clark) practically molests him in the foyer.  The general explains that a 'bookseller' has sent a huge bill - blackmail? - in regard to his younger daughter, Camilla.  He asks that Marlowe find out if this is something serious or just someone trying to con him for a quick buck.  Marlowe visits the bookstore and finds that it is a front for selling smut.  The receptionist is Agnes Lozelle (Joan Collins).  Trailing the bookseller to his home, Marlowe settles in for a stakeout.  That evening, Camilla arrives.  As Marlowe approaches to get a closer look, there are gunshots.  Inside, he finds Camilla naked and stoned, the bookseller dead, and a camera on a tripod aimed at Camilla but the film is gone.  In the morning, the Sternwood's chauffeur is found dead from suicide and it is clear that he killed the bookseller.  However, he doesn't have the missing film from the camera.  As Marlowe follows each thread of the case, he finds another person who is either dead or about to be murdered.  The death toll on the case is quite high.

The story was written in the late forties for Los Angeles but has here been placed in the modern day (1978) in London.  This hurt the noir aspects of the movie.  Also, much of the action takes place during the day when it is far too bright.  I far prefer Mitchum's Marlowe to that of Eliot Gould.  Mitchum's Marlowe is competent, has an emotional range, actually investigates, and isn't a chain smoking depressive.   Also, the brutal integrity is made clear when he refuses huge sums of money even when it is offered with no strings attached; With Gould, I was baffled that he refused money and tossed away $5000.  On the other hand, Mitchum is too old for the role while Gould was about the right age.  The cast is all stars: Richard Boone, Sarah Miles, Edward Fox, John Mills, Oliver Reed, and Harry Andrews all appear.

The plot is a Gordian knot of intertwining mysteries that all come back to an incident that Marlowe wasn't asked to investigate though everyone asks if he is.  There is always a third party present during any incident; that introduces a new mystery to be solved.  Loose end after loose end, each accompanied by a corpse.  It is an engaging movie but most of the players are too high-strung.  Camilla is the most extreme example but there are a lot of characters who are too ready to resort to murder.  Each one is tipped to murder by the previous domino in the chain.  Maybe crazy attracts crazy.

It's okay.  If you like Robert Mitchum, watch it.