Finest Film Adaptation of Any Raymond Chandler Novel

The acting (even by newcomers Jack O'Halloran and Jimmy Archer) was excellent and the script (though it deviates from the novel in many ways: for example, in the novel Amthor (played to perfection by Kate Murtagh) is male swami and Velma is not a former prostitute) captures the essence of the story and the performances ring true.

Jack O'Halloran was born to play Moose Malloy; after seeing his performance you can't imagine anyone else in the role. (He makes Mike Mazurki's performance in the 1944 'Murder, My Sweet' look amatueurish.) Though I don't think Charlotte Rampling is in enough scenes the viewer can't pay attention to anything but her as her presence dominates any scene in which she appears, and Rampling was a brilliant choice both for her acting talent as well as her haunting beauty. In the novel Chandler takes pains to provide enough information about her such that although the viewer doesn't really 'know' her enough is revealed so that her actions make sense. Again, this rendition of the novel could have done more to fill out her character but having done so much so well, who really cares.

The sets, costumes, props, and cars very realistic; and for this reason (besides the wonderful acting) the film wears well over 40 years post-release.

Again, although not absolutely faithful to the novel (e.g., the character Tommy Ray and his family are nice touches) Chandler fans would probably agree that Chandler would approve of this adaptation.