Ashwin Lewis
The Big Sleep is a 1946 American film noir directed by Howard Hawks, based on Raymond Chandler's 1939 novel of the same name. The film stars Humphrey Bogart as private detective Philip Marlowe and Lauren Bacall as Vivian Rutledge in a story that begins with blackmail and leads to multiple murders. There are two versions of the film: the original 1945 pre-release version and the revised, enhanced 1946 theatrical version. The 1945 version is 116 minutes long, while the 1946 version is 114 minutes long. The 1946 version is considered the better version by some due to its sexier dialogue and emphasis on the Bacall/Bogart pairing, while the 1945 version is preferred by others for its inclusion of scenes that provide important plot information.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year of release | 1945, 1946 |
| Length | 114 minutes, 116 minutes |
| Type of release | Pre-release, theatrical release |
| Tone | The 1945 version has a "slightly slower pace" and "a touch less zingy interplay between Bogart and Bacall" |
| Scenes | The 1945 version includes a scene at the District Attorney's office, while the 1946 version includes a scene in which Bacall's psycho sister tries to seduce Bogart in his apartment |
| Critical reception | Critics are divided as to which version is superior. Pauline Kael called the film a "witty, incredibly complicated thriller", while Bosley Crowther said it leaves the viewer "confused and dissatisfied" |
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What You'll Learn
1945 version is the director's cut
The 1945 version of The Big Sleep is the director's original cut, released to servicemen during World War II. It runs at 116 minutes and includes several scenes that were cut from the 1946 theatrical release. These include a scene at the District Attorney's office, which explains the facts of the case, making the film easier to follow for first-time viewers. Another scene features Bogart and Bacall's characters in a conversation at Bogart's office, which was replaced in the 1946 version with a scene set in a restaurant with sexier dialogue. The 1945 version also includes a different version of the "racetrack" banter between Bogart and Bacall, and a scene with Bogart meeting Eddie Mars' wife, played by a different actress.
The 1945 version has been praised for its inclusion of scenes that enhance the film's plot and character development. Film historian Lee Pfeiffer noted the "tortured history" of bringing Raymond Chandler's novel to the screen, and some critics consider the 1945 version to be superior due to its inclusion of the District Attorney's office scene. Eric Brace of The Washington Post described the 1945 version as an "unqualified masterpiece", despite its slower pace and slightly less zingy interplay between the lead actors.
The 1945 version is also notable for being the first cut of the film, providing a glimpse into the director's original vision. It was released during World War II, and the popularity of private eye stories was at its peak. The delay between the initial production and the final release of the 1946 version allowed for the addition of new scenes, taking advantage of the public's fascination with the romance between Bogart and Bacall, who married during that time.
The 1945 version offers a different perspective on the film's tone and impact, showcasing the director's initial intentions. It highlights the importance of certain scenes and plot points that were later deemed expendable in favour of emphasising the romantic angle between the leads. The 1945 version is a testament to the evolution of the film and the decisions made during the editing process.
Overall, the 1945 version of The Big Sleep is a valuable piece of cinematic history, offering a director's cut that differs from the more widely known 1946 theatrical release. It provides a unique perspective on the film's narrative and character development, making it a fascinating watch for fans and film enthusiasts alike.
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1946 version is a re-edited theatrical release
The 1946 version of The Big Sleep is a re-edited theatrical release, which differs from the original 1945 cut in several ways. Firstly, the 1946 version includes reshot scenes between Bogart and Bacall, intended to emphasise their romantic relationship and increase the sexual chemistry between the two. This included a new scene set in a restaurant with "sexier dialogue and innuendo", which replaced a scene in the 1945 version where Bacall visits Bogart's office wearing a veil.
The 1946 version also features additional close-ups of Bacall, and a scene where Bogart is tied up with Bacall and Eddie Mars' wife was reshot with a different actress playing Mars' wife. Furthermore, the 1946 version removes a long scene in the District Attorney's office, which explained plot details but was deemed too long and slowed the film's pace.
The 1946 version also adds a scene from the original novel, in which Bacall's psycho sister tries to seduce Bogart in his apartment. This scene helps to explain who killed the chauffeur, which is unclear in the 1945 version.
The 1946 version of The Big Sleep has been praised as a great film noir, with a witty and clever screenplay, and excellent performances from Bogart and Bacall. However, some critics prefer the 1945 version, as the additional scenes in the 1946 version were seen as unnecessary and detracting from the film's impact. Ultimately, the decision of which version is better is a matter of personal preference, as both have their own unique strengths and weaknesses.
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1945 version has a slower pace
The 1945 version of The Big Sleep has a runtime of 116 minutes, while the 1946 version is 114 minutes long. The 1945 version is considered to be the director's cut and was screened for the military during World War II. The 1946 version is the theatrical cut, which was re-released with additional scenes and reshoots to emphasise the romance between the lead pair, played by Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall.
The 1945 version has a slower pace than the 1946 version, which has been described as "zingier." The earlier version includes a scene in the District Attorney's office, which explains the plot in detail. However, some viewers have found this scene to be too long and slowing down the film's pace. The 1946 version removes this scene, making it slightly more fast-paced and perhaps easier for first-time viewers to follow.
The 1945 version also features a different cast in certain scenes, such as a different actress playing Eddie Mars' wife in one scene, and Pat Clark in an uncredited role. The 1946 version, on the other hand, includes Peggy Knudsen, who does not appear in the original cut. The 1946 version also adds more close-ups of Lauren Bacall and emphasises the romantic angle between the leads, making it sexier.
The 1945 version has been praised for its behind-the-scenes value, showcasing how the tone and impact of a film can be altered with just a few scenes. It is considered an "unqualified masterpiece" despite its slower pace. The 1945 version also includes a scene with Martha Vickers, who stood out in the film and was noted for her performance, especially in her interactions with Bogart's character.
Overall, the 1945 version of The Big Sleep offers a slower pace, additional scenes, and a different cast in certain roles. It provides a behind-the-scenes look at the filmmaking process and has been praised as a masterpiece. However, the 1946 version speeds up the pace, emphasises the romantic angle, and includes additional close-ups of Lauren Bacall.
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1946 version emphasises the romance
The 1946 version of The Big Sleep is considered by some to be one of the great film noirs. It is an adaptation of Raymond Chandler's 1939 novel of the same name, directed by Howard Hawks. The film stars Humphrey Bogart as private detective Philip Marlowe and Lauren Bacall as Vivian Rutledge.
The 1946 version emphasises the romance between Bogart and Bacall, with reshoots and additional scenes added to take advantage of the public's fascination with the couple, who married during the film's delay. The film's original cut was released to servicemen overseas in 1945, but the 1946 theatrical release added scenes to emphasise the sexual chemistry between the two leads, including a scene in a restaurant with "sexier dialogue and innuendo".
The 1946 version also includes a scene with Bacall's psycho sister trying to seduce Bogart in his apartment, which was absent from the 1945 cut. This scene is important in explaining who killed the chauffeur. The 1946 version also has additional close-ups of Bacall, and the scene in which Bogart is tied up with Bacall and Eddie Mars' wife was reshot with a different actress playing Mars' wife.
The 1946 version has been described as "sexier" and "much better known" than the 1945 version, with the additional Bogart/Bacall scenes making it a genuine classic.
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1945 version has a scene with the District Attorney
The 1945 version of The Big Sleep is considered by some critics to be better than the 1946 version, partly due to the inclusion of a scene at the District Attorney's office. In this scene, Bogart's character, private detective Philip Marlowe, explains his involvement in the murder case to the District Attorney and Captain Cronager. This scene helps to clarify the plot, which is otherwise confusing and difficult to follow, especially for first-time viewers.
The 1945 version of the film, also known as the "original cut" or "director's cut", is about two minutes longer than the 1946 version, with some sources stating that there are up to 20 minutes of alternate scenes. The longer version has a slightly slower pace and a less zingy interplay between the lead actors, Bogart and Lauren Bacall. However, critics like Eric Brace have still praised it as an "unqualified masterpiece".
The 1945 version was initially released to servicemen overseas and to the military in the South Pacific. It was then re-released in art-house cinemas in 1997, along with a documentary comparing it to the 1946 version. The 1946 version, on the other hand, is considered one of the great film noirs, with a tone that keeps its distance while remaining wry and humorous. This version emphasised the romance between Bogart and Bacall, adding more glamorous and sexy scenes between the two.
Overall, while the 1946 version of The Big Sleep is more widely known and celebrated, the 1945 version with the District Attorney scene offers a different perspective on the film, providing important plot context and a slower pace for viewers who want a clearer understanding of the story.
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Frequently asked questions
The 1945 version is the director's cut and is 116 minutes long. It includes a scene at the District Attorney's office where the facts of the case are laid out, making the film easier to follow. The 1946 version is the theatrical cut and is 114 minutes long. It emphasises the romance between the lead characters, making it sexier and more in line with the public's fascination with the actors' off-screen relationship.
Opinions vary. Some consider the 1945 version to be superior due to the inclusion of the District Attorney scene, which helps explain the plot. However, others find that the scene is too long and slows down the pace of the film. The 1946 version is considered a classic noir film with a faster pace and more zingy interplay between the leads.
The film was initially produced in 1944, but its release was delayed due to World War II and the studio's preference for releasing war films. During this time, the stars of the film, Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall, got married, and the studio wanted to capitalise on their off-screen relationship. Reshoots and additional scenes were done in 1946 to emphasise the romance between their characters.
A Region 1 (US and Canada) DVD released in 2000 contains both versions. The Warner Archive release also includes both versions.
