film / 1946
The Big Sleep
Philip Marlowe follows a blackmail case through a maze of murder, attraction, and wealthy family secrets.
Verified facts
- Runtime
- 1h 54m
- Director
- Howard Hawks
- Released
- 1946
- Based on
- The Big Sleep
PlotGeeks explainer signals
Why read this explainer
Vivian's guarded answers make attraction part of Marlowe's investigation. Her family has more to protect than the blackmail that first brings him to them.
PlotGeeks note
Marlowe must decide what Vivian is withholding while remaining drawn to her. Their relationship develops inside the uncertainty of the case.
Connected knowledge
Connected in PlotGeeks
Related explainers and browse pages for The Big Sleep.
- Compare with The Big Sleep (1939 book)
Compare what changes between the 1939 book and the 1946 film.
- Explore Family
Family can offer shelter, impose a role, or become the system a character must escape.
Timeline
Major events
- Sternwood hires Marlowe
A blackmail demand concerning Carmen leads him to Geiger's house and a murder.
- Vivian tries to end the case
Her explanations do not satisfy Marlowe as missing Regan and Eddie Mars become central.
- Vivian helps Marlowe escape
She releases him from captivity, and together they survive Canino's attack.
- Mars enters his own ambush
Marlowe forces him outside, then gives police an account that protects Carmen.
Story in 60 Seconds
The short version
General Sternwood hires Philip Marlowe to deal with blackmail involving his daughter Carmen. The detective finds a murdered bookseller, compromising photographs, and further deaths that complicate the apparently limited job. Sternwood's other daughter Vivian tries to close the investigation while drawing Marlowe toward her. His search reaches gangster Eddie Mars, whose control over the family depends on a hidden story about the missing Sean Regan. Vivian eventually helps Marlowe escape Mars's gunman. He turns the gangster's planned ambush against him and protects Carmen from the public account.
Spoiler sectionEnding ExplainedShow ending detailsHide ending details
Marlowe forces Eddie Mars outside into the gunfire of Mars's own men. He tells the police that Mars killed Regan, shielding Carmen from the account used to blackmail Vivian. He urges Vivian to arrange psychiatric care for her sister. Their mutual attraction survives, but the resolution includes a deliberate cover story rather than an entirely public disclosure.
Original context
Why it matters
What the conflict reveals
Vivian's guarded answers make attraction part of Marlowe's investigation. He must judge what she is protecting while the blackmail case grows into a murder case.
Key turning points
Vivian helps Marlowe escape
Vivian's help during Marlowe's captivity converts guarded attraction into practical trust. Their alliance allows him to confront Mars while exposing the secret that made her vulnerable.
Character links
Who connects to whom
Character motivations
What drives the characters
Marlowe wants answers that his wealthy clients would prefer to suppress. Vivian wants to protect Carmen, even when withholding the truth makes her dependent on Mars.
Adaptation
Book and film connection
Explore the story