THE BIG SLEEP

I watched The Big Sleep on television last night. With the advent of computers, cinema has developed hugely over the past two decades. Stunts, pyrotechnics, moving figures (eg Toy Story) and fantasy worlds (eg Lord of the Rings) were simply not possible when I first started watching films.

However, more sophisticated or action-packed doesn't necessarily mean better. The Big Sleep is from 1946, and is in black and white (how pathetic is that?). Yet a twisty plot, snappy dialogue, and bravura performances from Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall in the main roles mean that it is still a great film. A million miles from the likes of Vampires Suck.

Walter Blotscher