The Amazing Mr Blunden (1972) Limited Edition Blu-Ray
The mysterious but kindly solicitor Mr Blunden (Laurence Naismith, his final film) visits Mrs Allen (Lynne Frederick) and her young children, offering her the position of caretaker at a derelict country mansion. More surprises are in store when the children encounter the ghosts of two former young residents and find themselves transported back in time to help their new friends right a 100-year-old wrong.
Written and directed by Lionel Jeffries (THE RAILWAY CHILDREN), THE AMAZING MR BLUNDEN has been described by Starburst as ‘Like a family friendly Hammer horror…atmospheric, interesting and well-made’. With such a description how could one refuse the opportunity to review it when the opportunity arose, especially as it was one of those rare movies that had managed to pass me by over the many years since its original release.
Adapted from Antonia Barber’s 1969 novel The Ghosts, THE AMAZING MR BLUNDEN makes for a perfect Sunday afternoon’s viewing, one that leaves you feeling fuzzy with nostalgia if a little underwhelmed by it all. I initially warmed to the film but started to lose interest when it veered away from the notion of ghosts and into the realm of time travel. I can only imagine that the reason that this sits in the hearts of so many is purely nostalgia-related as there’s nothing else here to explain why it remains a solid favourite for many.
SPECIAL FEATURES
- Brand new Second Sight scan and restoration
- A new audio commentary with actors Madeline Smith, Rosalyn Landor and Stuart Lock moderated by film critic and author Kim Newman
- A new interview with Madeline Smith
- A new interview with Rosalyn Landor
- Mark Gatiss on The Amazing Mr Blunden – a new interview
- 2014 archive BFI Q&A with Madeline Smith, Rosalyn Landor and Stuart Lock
- Reversible sleeve with artwork by Rich Davies and original artwork
- ‘The Ghosts’ – the original out-of-print source novel by Antonia Barber exclusively reproduced for this release
- Rigid slipcase with new artwork by Rich Davies
- Soft cover book with new essays by Kevin Lyons and Kim Newman
- Reversible poster with new and original artwork