I’ve had the opportunity to dine at Michael Winner's house in Holland Park three times, and I regretfully can’t recall much about those occasions—it seemed his hosting style was intentionally designed that way! He was a delightful conversationalist, always ready with an amusing story for any situation. For this reimagining of the 1946 film, he has gathered together a talented group of performers. Robert Mitchum portrays the detective "Philip Marlowe," and the plot is relocated to Britain, where his skills are needed by the ailing "General Sternwood" (James Stewart), who worries about the potential for blackmail involving his daughters. During one such inquiry, it’s revealed that while blackmail was a factor, something much more dangerous and unsettling requires his attention—the vanishing of the general's son-in-law, "Rusty Regan." He encounters various criminals, gangsters, and small-time thieves in his pursuit to understand what is happening and why. Oliver Reed and Sara Miles (who consistently seemed poised on the edge of losing her mind) provide solid contributions, but Joan Collins and Richard Boone are less effective, and Mitchum’s narration feels excessively long-winded. The conclusion arrives abruptly, leaving me feeling somewhat unsatisfied with the overall experience. Color photography can sometimes detract from noir thrillers; the classic black and white style, along with skillful lighting, shadows, and a fitting musical score often compensate when the plot is lacking. Winner doesn't have those advantages here, so ultimately this film stands out more for its casting choices than for the story itself.

Source on TMDB