IMDb on iPhone and iPod touch Learn more Learn more Download from the App Store
IMDb > The Long Goodbye (1973)
The Long Goodbye
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotes
Overview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv schedule
Awards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage board
Plot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotes
Fun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQ
Other Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDesk
Promotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo gallery
External Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips

The Long Goodbye (1973) More at IMDbPro »

Photos (see all 11 | slideshow) Videos
The Long Goodbye (1973) -- Trailerfan.com - Trailer (Flash)

Overview

User Rating:
7.6/10   5,925 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 2% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers:
Raymond Chandler (novel)
Leigh Brackett (screenplay)
Contact:
View company contact information for The Long Goodbye on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
7 March 1973 (USA) more
Tagline:
Nothing says goodbye like a bullet. more
Plot:
Detective Philip Marlowe tries to help a friend who is accused of murdering his wife. full summary | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Awards:
1 win more
User Comments:
Altman tells a story in a rhythm more (99 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Elliott Gould ... Philip Marlowe
Nina Van Pallandt ... Eileen Wade (as Nina van Pallandt)
Sterling Hayden ... Roger Wade / Billy Joe Smith
Mark Rydell ... Marty Augustine

Henry Gibson ... Dr. Verringer
David Arkin ... Harry
Jim Bouton ... Terry Lennox
Warren Berlinger ... Morgan
Jo Ann Brody ... Jo Ann Eggenweiler
Stephen Coit ... Det. Farmer (as Steve Coit)
Jack Knight ... Mabel
Pepe Callahan ... Pepe
Vincent Palmieri ... Vince (as Vince Palmieri)
Pancho Córdova ... Doctor (as Pancho Cordoba)
Enrique Lucero ... Jefe
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Also Known As:
Der Tod kennt keine Wiederkehr (Austria) (West Germany) [de]
Långt farväl (Finland: Swedish title) (Sweden) [sv]
A hosszú búcsú (Hungary) [hu]
Det lange farvel (Denmark) [da]
Dlugie pozegnanie (Poland) [pl]
El llarg adéu (Spain: Catalan title) [ca]
Il lungo addio (Italy) [it]
Le privé (France) [fr]
Mia sfaira, ena antio (Greece) [el]
O Perigoso Adeus (Brazil) [pt]
Pitkät jäähyväiset (Finland) [fi]
Un adiós peligroso (Argentina) [es]
Un largo adiós (Spain) [es]
more
Runtime:
112 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Color (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 more
Sound Mix:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
In the commentary on the DVD, Robert Altman talks about how sad he was that Leigh Brackett, the screenwriter, died before the film was released and never saw the completed work. In fact Bracket died in 1979, shortly after completing the first draft of Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980) for George Lucas, and thus lived long enough to see the finished film. more
Goofs:
Continuity: During the scene where Marlowe is chasing Mrs. Wade in her top-down Mercedes 450 SL convertible, the car goes from having head rests to having no head rests in various shots. more
Quotes:
[Marlowe is being interrogated. Green and Farmer watch from behind the mirror]
Det. Green: There he is, a real cutie pie.
Det. Farmer: He's a smartass.
Det. Green: That's what I meant.
Det. Farmer: Why don't you learn to say what you mean?
more
Movie Connections:
Soundtrack:
Hooray for Hollywood more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
29 out of 36 people found the following comment useful.
Altman tells a story in a rhythm, 3 May 2003
10/10
Author: TheTwistedLiver from Chicago



Easily one of Altman's best films and an early precursor to other films later in the decade by the director. The Long Goodbye is a fine transition in style to Altmans later films like "Nashville" and "A Wedding" Elliot Gould does an outstanding job portraying the outre detective Phillip Marlowe, using his mumbling, bumbling, smart ass speaking style, as a technique to keep the film under the illusion that everything is in motion, like the ocean waves in the film, Marlowe speaks in a sort of beatnik type "Daddy-O" style combined with a smooth talking private eye, and the result works perfectly. The film works like it is timed by a metronome, it rolls along, seamlessly in a way that only Altman can achieve, and like the rhythm of the waves and Marlowe's speech, the camera is constantly in motion as well. The roving camera does an excellent job of allowing the viewer to feel as though they are witnessing more action than actually exists on screen.

Wade (Sterling Hayden) is a fantastic Hemingway-esque writer in the film. Hayden's size and booming voice, in conjunction with his alcoholism and potential brutality, lend an aroma of unpredictableness to his character. Wade's beautiful wife, who has a mysterious bruise on her face, is like a timid, loyal animal, subjected to the whims of her over bearing master. Henry Gibson, who plays Wade's doctor, is excellent as a sort of despotic mouse, who frightens an elephant into conforming to his will, this irony is one of the films intriguing, bizarre twists.

This film works well as a character study, and is one of the best films of the seventies. A must see for every student of film. 9/10

Was the above comment useful to you?
more (99 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for The Long Goodbye (1973)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Question About a Location (Herbie's Bar) (2 more questions too) cultfilmfreak
This movie is a joke avadhani
Sterling Hayden.. tidypainter
Criterion NiceGuyEddie75
What is Roger Wade drinking? Maxwell_Rollington
question about the Doctor hairylime
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang Touch of Evil Farewell, My Lovely Freeway Caché
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
News articles IMDb Crime section IMDb USA section
Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.