''The Big Sleep'', 1978, movie poster painting by Richard Amsel is a painting by Movie World Posters which was uploaded on October 31st, 2022.
''The Big Sleep'', 1978, movie poster painting by Richard Amsel
Base painting of the vintage movie poster for ''The Big Sleep'', released in 1978 and directed by Michael Winner, is a neo-noir crime thriller that... more
Title
''The Big Sleep'', 1978, movie poster painting by Richard Amsel
Artist
Movie World Posters
Medium
Painting - Movie Posters
Description
Base painting of the vintage movie poster for ''The Big Sleep'', released in 1978 and directed by Michael Winner, is a neo-noir crime thriller that serves as a remake of the classic 1946 film of the same name, based on Raymond Chandler's novel. Starring Robert Mitchum in the iconic role of private detective Philip Marlowe, the film attempts to capture the gritty atmosphere and complex narrative of the original story while updating it for a contemporary audience.
Set in 1970s Los Angeles, "The Big Sleep" follows Marlowe as he is hired by a wealthy family to investigate a series of blackmail threats against one of their daughters. As Marlowe delves deeper into the case, he becomes entangled in a web of deception, corruption, and murder that leads him into the seedy underbelly of the city.
Robert Mitchum delivers a strong performance as Philip Marlowe, bringing his own brand of world-weary charm and rugged masculinity to the role. While he may not possess the same level of intensity as Humphrey Bogart, who famously portrayed Marlowe in the original film, Mitchum's portrayal still resonates with a sense of noirish coolness and understated strength.
Michael Winner's direction attempts to capture the dark and atmospheric mood of Chandler's novel, with moody lighting, shadowy cinematography, and a jazzy score setting the tone for the film. However, the pacing and editing can sometimes feel uneven, and the plot becomes convoluted in places, making it difficult for viewers to follow the intricacies of the mystery.
Despite its flaws, "The Big Sleep" still offers moments of suspense and intrigue, and Robert Mitchum's performance as the iconic detective ensures that the film remains an interesting addition to the noir genre. While it may not surpass the original 1946 film, it stands as a testament to the enduring popularity of Raymond Chandler's detective novels and the timeless appeal of hard-boiled crime fiction.
Base art is the poster artwork after the text has been digitally removed.
About the artist:
Richard Amsel (December 4, 1947 – November 13, 1985) was an American illustrator and graphic designer. His career was brief but prolific, spanning the creation of movie posters, album covers, and magazine covers.
He was born in Philadelphia, enrolling at the Philadelphia College of Art after high school. Soon after graduating, when he was 22, he created a proposed poster for the Barbra Streisand musical “Hello, Dolly!” During a nationwide talent search for artists, 20th Century Fox selected it as the winning poster.
Following that early success, Amsel designed the artwork for Bette Midler's debut album. Subsequently, several publishers commissioned him to design magazine covers, including Lily Tomlin’s “Time” cover in 1977. He also worked with “TV Guide,” designing more than 40 covers over 13 years.
He created many recognizable movie posters during the 1970s, including “The Champ,” “Chinatown,” “Julia,” “The Last Picture Show,” “The Last Tycoon,” “The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean,” “McCabe & Mrs. Miller,” “The Muppet Movie,” “Murder on the Orient Express,” “Nashville,” “Papillon,” “The Shootist,” and “The Sting.”
Amsel received multiple awards during his brief career, including the New York and Los Angeles Society of Illustrators Award, a Golden Key Award from “The Hollywood Reporter,” and a Grammy Award.
In 1985, Amsel died of AIDS at the age of 37. A documentary film about his life was announced in January 2016 and is currently in production. It will be titled “Amsel: Illustrator of the Lost Art.”
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Uploaded
October 31st, 2022
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