The Long Goodbye 1973
Elliott Gould gives one of his best performances as a quirky, mischievous Philip Marlowe in Robert Altman's fascinating and original send-up of Raymond Chandler's classic detective story. Co-starring Nina Van Pallandt, Sterling Hayden, Mark Rydell and Henry Gibson with a screenplay Leigh Brackett, The Long Goodbye is a gloriously inspired tribute to Hollywood with an ending that's as controversial as is it provocative. Private eye Philip Marlowe (Gould) faces the most bizarre case of his life, when a friend's apparent suicide turns into a double murder involving a sexy blonde, a disturbed gangster and a suitcase of drug money. But as Marlowe stumbles toward the truth, he soon finds himself lost in a maze of sex and deceit - only to discover that in L.A., if love is dangerous... friendship is murder.

Despite cries of outrage from hard-line Chandler purists, this is, along with Hawks' The Big Sleep, easily the most intelligent of all screen adaptations of the writer's work.

Director: Robert Altman
Cast: Elliott Gould, Nina Van Pallandt, Sterling Hayden, Marty Augustine, Henry Gibson, David Arkin, Jim Bouton, Warren Berlinger, Jo Ann Brody, Stephen Coit, Jack Knight
Country: United States
Genre: Comedy, Crime, Drama, Mystery, Thriller

BD50 | 1080p AVC | 01:52:15 | 40.8 Gb + 3% rec
Language: English
Subtitles: English

Extras:

Commentary - an exclusive new audio commentary recorded by critic Tim Lucas.

Rip Van Marlowe - this documentary about The Long Goodbye was originally made in 2002 for MGM's R1 DVD release of the film. Director Robert Altman recalls how The Long Goodbye came to exist. Elliot Gould also explains how he was approached to play Philip Marlowe. In English, not subtitled. (25 min).

Vilmos Zsigmond Flashes The Long Goodbye - in this archival program, acclaimed cinematographer Vilmos Zsigmond discusses his professional relationship with director Robert Altman, who helped him start his career in Hollywood after he escaped from Hungary in 1956. Mr. Zsigmond also discusses the 'flashing' technique which gave The Long Goodbye its unique look. In English, not subtitled. (15 min).

David Thompson on Robert Altman - in this archival program, writer and filmmaker David Thompson, who edited Altman on Altman and produced Robert Altman in England for the BBC, discusses the life and legacy of the famous American director. In English, not subtitled. (22 min).

Tom Williams on Raymond Chandler - in this archival program, Tom Williams, author of A Mysterious Something in the Light: Raymond Chandler: A Life, discusses the life and work of Philip Marlowe's creator. Mr. Williams also discusses the unique qualities of Robert Altman's adaptation of The Long Goodbye. In English, not subtitled. (15 min).

Maxim Jakubowski on Hard-Boiled Fiction - in this archival program, crime writer, critic and editor Maxim Jakubowski discusses the characteristics of the hard-boiled detective genre in literature and cinema. In English, not subtitled. (15 min).

American Cinematographer Article - presented here is an archival article from American Cinematographer discussing Vilmos Zsigmond's 'flashing' technique and its effects on the visual appearance of The Long Goodbye. The article was published in 1973. In text-format.

Trailers From Hell - presented here is an archival episode of Trailers From Hell with screenwriter Josh Olson (A History of Violence). In English, not subtitled. (3 min).

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