Sylvester Stallone Movie:

Editorial Review:
Of all the Philip Marlowes, Robert Mitchum's in Farewell, My Lovely resonates most deeply. That's because this is Marlowe past his prime, and Mitchum imbues Raymond Chandler's legendary private detective with a sense of maturity as well as a melancholy spirit. And yet there's plenty of Mitchum's renowned self-deprecating humor and charismatic charm to remind us of his own iconic presence. As in the previous 1944 film version, Murder, My Sweet, Marlowe searches all over L.A. for the elusive girlfriend of ex-con Moose Malloy, a lovable giant who might as well be King Kong. In typical Chandler fashion, the weary Marlowe uncovers a hotbed of lust, corruption, and betrayal. Like Malloy, he's disillusioned by it all, despite his tough exterior, and possesses a tinge of sentimentality for the good old days. About the only current dream he can hold onto is Joe DiMaggio and his fabulous hitting streak. Made in 1975, a year after Chinatown (shot by the same cinematographer, John Alonzo), Farewell, My Lovely is more straightforward and nostalgic, but still possesses a requisite hard-boiled edge, and the best kind of angst the '70s had to offer. (By the way, you'll notice Sylvester Stallone in a rather violent cameo, a year before his Rocky breakthrough.) --Bill Desowitz

Farewell, My Lovely [Region 2] Reviews:
Reminded me why I love NOIR!
2009-06-30 - I agree with all of you. An utter shame this is not on dvd for the masses. I had only seen the film on regular tv. Then, last night, some movie channel showed it, uncut and in letterbox. There was a scene in a brothel containing female upper nudity and one, full frontal shot! That was certainly cut from the tv version! I want this in my collection also! Certainly is up there with my love for "Chinatown".

great movie - tape quality abysmally bad
2009-06-27 - The people selling this VHS tape should be prosecuted for fraud. We could barely hear the dialogue due to a constant, loud, and annoying background hum. If it weren't such a hassle I'd try to get my money back. We'll never watch this tape again; not even a movie this great is worth the aggravation. I'm shocked that Amazon sold me this worthless product.

Farewell to VHS
2009-06-07 - When is this outstanding film going to get the attention it deserves with a legitimate DVD release? For years fans of this movie have had to suffer with these washed out VHS copies. Even with the poor reproduction I still find myself wathching this film often and enjoying it everytime.

If you liked Bogart's "Big Sleep" and other stories of this type then you will be pleasantly surprised with FML. Robert Mitchum does a heck of a job as private eye Philip Marlow taking on his biggest case. The setting is perfect, the grimy underworld, corrupt police a madam of the city, its all there. The cast includes a number of role players that you will recognize and several of them become big stars in their own right. In spite of the poor presentation you will find this an enjoyable diversion and be asking yourself the same question I did at the beginning of this review.

My All-Time Favorite Film of the Genre
2008-05-29 - Robert Mitchum, Sylvia Miles, Charlotte Rampling, Harry Dean Stanton, Jack O'Halloran, John Ireland and Sylvester Stallone,among others - what a lineup. Of the entire genre of film noir, tough guy detective films, this one is by far the best. Mitchum is at his all time best, even though he's nearly sixty in this film (a bit old to play Marlowe, in my opinion, but he carries it off with absolute aplomb). He is the quintessential tough guy gumshoe Marlowe (he floors Dick Powell's previous characterization of the role), Sylvia Miles and Charlotte Rampling turn in flawless performances, and in fact Sylvia Miles received a well-deserved Oscar nod for hers. John Ireland and Harry Dean Stanton also gave marquee performances as well. Even young Sylvester Stallone is a surprise. But another one that stands out for me personally is the absolutely perfectly cast Jack O'Halloran as Moose Malloy. He plays the uber-big lunkhead looking for his girlfriend and I find myself caring for this character, following how the character develops and wanting to see the outcome for big Moose. O' Halloran did an outstanding job, playing Moose to spot-on realism and really filled in that dimension of the film for me. This film is a winner.

one of the best!
2008-01-22 - I am now trying to purchase this movie, it looks like I can only get it in used VHS form. (I cant wait any longer for it on DVD, but will definately buy it again when it is available on DVD WS).
But I will forever remember this movie as a young teen, sitting in the theatre, when it first came out in the 1970's. I sat and watched it over and over and over again! I've always loved Robert Mitchum, always loved Film Noir and this Movie has it all. Mitchum was a great actor and this is by far his greatest role, his greatest acting in his long career. The acting, the cinematography, the music, all great! Yes, lots of previous versions from the 30's, etc which were also good, but this one is NOT good, it is GREAT! This could have been and has the exact great look of a 30's, 40's, 50's noir. I cant say enough about this flick, so I'll stop now! If you like film noir, Robert mitchum, mysteries, an excellent movie, then you've got to see this one. Not only see it, but experience it!