The Big Sleep (1978): cast, story & where to watch
1978 · Film · ★ 5.9
Released in 1978, The Big Sleep is a thriller, drama, crime and mystery film directed by Michael Winner, running about 100 minutes. “Meet Philip Marlowe. The toughest private eye whoever wore a trench coat, slapped a dame and split his knuckles on a jawbone.” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. Private eye Philip Marlowe investigates a case of blackmail involving the two wild daughters of a rich general, a pornographer and a gangster.
Who’s in it. The Big Sleep stars Robert Mitchum as Philip Marlowe, Sarah Miles as Charlotte Sternwood, Candy Clark as Camilla Sternwood and Richard Boone as Lash Cansino, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 5.9/10, The Big Sleep has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response.
Where to watch. In US you can stream it on Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads and Shout! Factory Amazon Channel and rent or buy it from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies and YouTube. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The Big Sleep page.
If you liked it. Fans of The Big Sleep tend to enjoy The Dark Knight, Pulp Fiction, Parasite and Fight Club.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch The Big Sleep (1978)?
- In US, The Big Sleep is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads and Shout! Factory Amazon Channel, and rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Google Play Movies. Availability varies by country — check our where-to-watch page for every region.
- Is The Big Sleep worth watching?
- The Big Sleep holds an audience score of 5.9 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy thriller, drama, crime and mystery. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in The Big Sleep?
- The Big Sleep stars Robert Mitchum, Sarah Miles, Candy Clark, Richard Boone and Joan Collins.
- When was The Big Sleep released?
- The Big Sleep was released in 1978, with a runtime of about 100 minutes.