Bunny Lake is Missing Blu-ray

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S E A R C H D V D B e a v e r

directed by Otto Preminger
UK 1965

The vast range of responses to and assessments of this movie here are a tribute to what an odd film this is in many ways. And it's difficult to comment on some of its oddest features (chiefly the performances of Dullea and Lynley) without giving away aspects of the plot that it's best you don't know when seeing the movie. I guess it's safe to say that I found both of these performances underwhelming but adequate. To be fair, both of them come off better by the end of the film than they do in its first third. Your take on Lynley's character will definitely evolve as the film progresses, which must in some degree be to her credit.

But by far the most compelling reason to see the film is Olivier's rich and understated performance from the period post-Archie Rice but pre-Othello. It takes a while for his character to appear, but once he arrives, he is unquestionably the center of the film, at the true heart of what's good about it. (The last 20 minutes of the film, maligned elsewhere in these IMDB comments, would probably have benefited greatly from a little more of his presence.)

His every moment onscreen is fascinating and worthwhile, and the script gives him some fine moments of verbal eccentricity which he delivers with variety and brilliance -- we leave this film wanting to know even more about his character, because he just seems so interesting beneath the surface.

Excerpt from Michael Moricz' review on IMdb located HERE

Posters

Theatrical Release: October 3rd, 1965 - UK

Indicator (Powerhouse) initial slate of Blu-rays

Spine #001	Spine #002	Spine #003	Spine #004	Spine #005	Spine #006


Spine #008	Spine #010	Spine #012	Spine #013	Spine #019	Spine #020

Reviews More Reviews DVD Reviews

Comparison:

Columbia Tri-Star - Region 1 - NTSC vs. Twilight Time - Region FREE - Blu-ray vs. Indicator (UK) - Region FREE - Blu-ray

1) Columbia Tri-Star - Region 1 - NTSC LEFT

2) Twilight Time - Region FREE - Blu-ray - MIDDLE

3) Indicator - Region FREE - Blu-ray - RIGHT

Box Covers			Re-released in September 2019:
Distribution	Columbia Tri-Star - Region 1- NTSC	Twilight Time Region FREE - Blu-ray	Indicator Region FREE - Blu-ray
Runtime	1:47:04	1:47:11.424	1:47:12.300
Video	2.33:1 Original Aspect Ratio Average Bitrate: 5.54 mb/s NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s	Disc Size: 31,966,479,887 bytes Feature Size: 29,807,413,248 bytes Average Bitrate: 30.00 Mbps Dual-layered Blu-ray MPEG-4 AVC Video	Disc Size: 39,370,995,540 bytes Feature Size: 33,606,995,520 bytes Average Bitrate: 35.00 Mbps Dual-layered Blu-ray MPEG-4 AVC Video
	NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes.
Bitrate:
Bitrate: Twilight Time Blu-ray
Bitrate: Indicator Blu-ray
Audio	English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Dolby)	DTS-HD Master Audio English 1028 kbps 1.0 / 48 kHz / 1028 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 1.0 / 48 kHz / 768 kbps / 24-bit) Isolated Score: DTS-HD Master Audio English 2022 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 2022 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit) Commentary: DTS-HD Master Audio English 1786 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1786 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit)	LPCM Audio English 1152 kbps 1.0 / 48 kHz / 1152 kbps / 24-bit Commentary: Dolby Digital Audio English 192 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 192 kbps Isolated Score: LPCM Audio Undetermined 2304 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 2304 kbps / 24-bit
Subtitles	English, French, None	English, None	English (SDH), None
Features	Release Information: Studio: Columbia Tri-Star Home Video Aspect Ratio: Original aspect Ratio 2.33:1 Edition Details: • Preview Trailers of "The Grudge" and "The Forgotten" , "Bonjour Tristesse" DVD Release Date: January 25th 2005 Keep Case Chapters: 12	Release Information: Studio: Twilight Time Disc Size: 31,966,479,887 bytes Feature Size: 29,807,413,248 bytes Average Bitrate: 30.00 Mbps Dual-layered Blu-ray MPEG-4 AVC Video Edition Details: • Audio Commentary with Film Historians Julie Kirgo, Lem Dobbs and Nick Redman • Isolated score • Trailer (Otto 3:25) • Trailer (The Zombies 2:22) • Original theatrical trailer (2:54) • Extensive Julie Kirgo liner notes Limited to 3,000 copies! Blu-ray Release Date: November, 2014 Standard Blu-ray Case Chapters 12	Release Information: Studio: Indicator Disc Size: 39,370,995,540 bytes Feature Size: 33,606,995,520 bytes Average Bitrate: 35.00 Mbps Dual-layered Blu-ray MPEG-4 AVC Video Edition Details: • Audio commentary with film historians Lem Dobbs, Julie Kirgo and Nick Redman • Interview with actor Carol Lynley (2017, 26:59) • Interview with actor Clive Revill (2017, 13:31) • Isolated score: experience Paul Glass’ original soundtrack music Trailers (3:25, 2:22, 2:54) • Image gallery • Limited edition exclusive booklet with a new essay by Chris Fujiwara Limited Dual Format Edition of 3,000 Blu-ray Release Date: February 27th, 2017 Transparent Blu-ray case Chapters 12

Comments:

NOTE: The below Blu-ray captures were taken directly from the Blu-ray disc.

ADDITION: Indicator - Region FREE - Blu-ray February 17': The new Indicator 1080P, technically more robust, transfer is cited as a 4K restoration. It is a bit darker than the Twilight Time - and we presume this to be more accurate. The Indicator looks superior in-motion with more consistent grain. Many may find this imperceptible on their systems but, IMO, the Indicator is the superior video transfer. No question.

Audio matches up well. Indicator use a linear PCM mono track and I couldn't detect much difference at all between it and the Twilight Time's DTS-HD Master. The UK disc may have a better higher end but it's nothing I can state with any certainty. Both sounds clean and crisp. The score is by Paul S. Glass (Overlord, Lady in a Cage) and plays a subtle, but atmospheric, role in the film experience. There are optional English (SDH) subtitles and the Blu-ray disc is region FREE.

Indicator have the same, excellent, audio commentary with film historians Lem Dobbs, Julie Kirgo and Nick Redman as found on the Twilight Time but they add two Fiction Factory bonus features a, 27-minute, 2017 interview with actor Carol Lynley entitled Bunny Lake is Missing: Carol Lynley Remembers and a 14-minute interview with actor Clive Revill also from 2017. We also get the isolated score of Paul Glass’ original soundtrack music, three different trailers, an image gallery and this limited edition (3,000 units) has an exclusive booklet with a new essay by Chris Fujiwara. It is dual-format with a, second disc, DVD.

With the 4K restoration image and bonus extras the Indicator Blu-ray is the definitive! Our highest recommendation!

***

ADDITION: Twilight Time Blu-ray - November 14': The Columbia DVD always looked a shade soft and the new Twilight Time Blu-ray improves but keeps that heavier, thick appearance. I suspect this dual-layered BD with a high bitrate is the best we are likely to get for this memorable film. Contrast adds some layers, the image is, overall, brighter and there is, generally, more information in the frame (on all 4 sides). Not spectacular, but quite strong.

The mono audio get a DTS-HD master track. There is notable depth is some of the dialogue and the score by Paul Glass (Lady in a Cage, Overlord.) Twilight Time offer and isolated score track and optional English subtitles on the region FREE Blu-ray, limited to 3,000 copies.

There is a new, and enjoyable, full-length audio commentary with film historians Julie Kirgo, Lem Dobbs and Nick Redman discussing details of the film, Preminger and Olivier among other topics. Aside from that are three separate trailers for the film and the package has the usual Julie Kirgo liner notes included.

It had been a while since I had seen Bunny Lake is Missing and I thoroughly appreciated the 1080P presentation. Great film, looking and sounding super - now part of my digital library to revisit at my discretion. Recommended!

***

ON THE DVD: It is a shame that this is such a bare bones release. NO extras aside from some current trailers and one upcoming DVD. The image quality is quite good - a shade heavy. Contrast is top notch. Black levels are very good. Original audio is offered as are optional (disgusting yellow) subtitles. It would be nice if CTS put some effort into their release nowadays. I guess we shouldn't complain - it is out finally and the picture quality is very acceptable.

Gary W. Tooze

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