The Big Sleep (1978)

The Big Sleep film poster- a man pointing a gun at the camera, with a women looking at his behind. Smokey red background with Big sleep written in white

The Big Sleep film poster © Incorporated Television Company (ITC)/Winkast Film Productions

Director: Michael Winner
Writers: Raymond Chandler (novel), Michael Winner (screenplay)
Starring: Sarah Miles, John Mills, Oliver Reed, Edward Fox, James Stewart, Joan Collins
Production Company: ITC Films, Winkast Film Productions
Kent Locations Used: The Royal Harbour in Ramsgate

The Big Sleep (1978) is a film adaption of Raymond Chandler‘s 1939 novel of the same name. Set in 1970’s London, private eye Philip Marlowe (Robert Mitchum) is asked by a retired general (James Stewart) to investigate who is blackmailing his family.

The detective mystery film is directed and written by Michael Winner (Death Wish, The Sentinel) and stars an array of acting talent including Sarah Miles (Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines, Blow-Up), John Mills (Dunkirk (1958), The Long Memory), Oliver Reed (The Shuttered Room (1967), Gladiator), Edward Fox (The Mirror Crack’d (1980), A Bridge Too Far), James Stewart (It’s a Wonderful Life, Vertigo) and Joan Collins (Dynasty, Esther and the King).

A black classic car parked at Ramsgate Harbour with cast members walking towards it, Boats and sea can be seen behind

The Big Sleep screenshot at Ramsgate Harbour © Incorporated Television Company (ITC)/Winkast Film Productions

a car being pulled out of the water at Ramsgate Harbour- a boat is in the water behind

The Big Sleep screenshot at Ramsgate Harbour © Incorporated Television Company (ITC)/Winkast Film Productions

The production visited The Royal Harbour in Ramsgate to film the scenes where General Sternwood’s chauffeur (Martin Potter) drives his car into the sea.

Ramsgate is a historic coastal town with England’s only Royal Harbour, stunning Victorian architecture, a sandy beach, amusements, arcades as well as shops and eateries. Ramsgate has previously been used as a film location in Big Bad World (2013), True Love (2012) and Gypo (2006).

The Big Sleep (1978) was released on Monday 13th March 1978 and is now available on DVD.

For more information about Kent’s Filming History please visit our Movie Map.