U.S. Embassy employee Lee Cochrane and his wife, Sue, receive a shock when they discover that their 18-month-old son, Simon, has disappeared in London. He was last seen with their nanny, and the couple seemingly have no leads that might help police Detective Craig in his investigation. The media sensationalizes the incident, causing an unnecessary distraction as the couple prepares to confront the culprit face-to-face.
Direction
Green's documentary-style realism before it was trendy.
Acting
Julia Arnall's shattered-mother performance haunts.
Cinematography
Fog-choked London locations shot like a nightmare.
Director
Guy Green
David Farrar
Detective Inspector Craig
David Knight
Lee Cochrane
Julia Arnall
Sue Cochrane
Thora Hird
Kelly's landlady
Eleanor Summerfield
Sergeant Cook
Marjorie Rhodes
Mrs. Jeffries
Everley Gregg
Viscountess Cardale
Meredith Edwards
Sergeant Davies
Irene Prador
Mitzi
Anita Sharp-Bolster
Miss Gill
Beverley Brooks
Pam
Brenda Hogan
Sue's Secretary
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Based on the real 1955 'Babes in the Wood' case that gripped Britain, this film exploited fresh public trauma for box office.
Thora Hird's landlady subtly steals every scene—she'd become a British TV institution, but here she's playing against type as something far nastier.
US
GB
