Review: Bunny Lake Is Missing
Blu-ray & DVD: Bunny Lake Is Missing (1965)
Ann Lake (Carol Lynley) takes her 4 year old daughter ‘Bunny’ to her first day at nursery school, but being in a rush to get back to her new home ready for the furniture and all their belongings to be delivered, she leaves Bunny in the care of a cook who works in the nursery kitchen. Upon returning later in the day to collect her daughter, Ann can not find her anywhere. The cook has left and is put under suspicion of kidnapping, but events unfold that make the validity of Ann’s story uncertain. Does Bunny even exist at all, or is she just a figment of the imagination of Ann? Police involvement begins a series of events that was you wondering what is true and what is all in the mind.
Directed by Otto Preminger, Bunny Lake Is Missing is a wonderfully crafted movie where you find yourself constantly questioning all the events on screen in an effort to try and solve the mystery before the police do.
Laurence Olivier heads up a cast that gives fantastic performances all around, with my favourite being Noël Coward who plays a sleazy drunken landlord and who stole every scene that he was in. This in no way detracts from all the other superb actors in this movie, some of whom only get a few minutes screen time, but their presence bolsters what is already a strong narrative and keeps it flowing effortlessly.
From the famously innovative Saul Bass titles through to the end music by Paul Glass, Bunny Lake Is Missing keeps you enthralled throughout its entire 107 minute running time. Even a slightly forced and seemingly put in for marketing purposes appearance by The Zombies doesn’t detract you from the twisting storyline.
Keeping a sense of dread right through until its final minutes, the sense of danger and helplessness is palpable throughout every frame as Ann has to endure a series of nightmare scenarios in order to try and find her daughter, while others are unconvinced even of her existence.
Presented here beautifully by Powerhouse Films in another of their Indicator series releases, Bunny lake Is Missing once again continues this amazing run that Powerhouse are currently on of releasing superb movies with picture and sound that complement them perfectly. Add on some interesting and informative extras, complete with the usual superlative 24 page accompanying booklet, and you have yet another essential purchase to make before it inevitably sells out.
A classic movie that can be rewatched and enjoyed again even when you know the final outcome.
Once again we tip our hats to Powerhouse Films.
INDICATOR LIMITED EDITION SPECIAL FEATURES:
• 4K restoration from the original negative
• Original mono audio
• Audio commentary with film historians Lem Dobbs, Julie Kirgo and Nick Redman
• Carol Lynley Remembers (2006, 27 mins): the actress discusses her career and working with Otto Preminger
• Clive Revill Remembers (2017, 14 mins): the celebrated actor discuss his role as Andrews
• Isolated score: experience Paul Glass’ original soundtrack music
• Original theatrical trailers
• Image gallery
• New and improved English subtitles for the deaf and hard-of-hearing
• Limited edition exclusive 24-page booklet with a new essay by Chris Fujiwara, archival interview material with Otto Preminger, rare colour on-set photography, and a selection of contemporary reviews
• UK Blu-ray premiere
• Limited Dual Format Edition of 3,000 copies
Review by Dave (host of 60 Minutes With) from a disc kindly supplied by Powerhouse Films.
