Plot
The boyfriend of an abducted woman never gives up the search as the abductor looks on.
Release Year: 1993
Rating: 6.1/10 (10,765 voted)
Director:
George Sluizer
Stars: Jeff Bridges, Kiefer Sutherland, Nancy Travis
Storyline Barney teaches chemisty, and is planning to abduct a woman. Despite methodical planning and countless trial runs he always manages to mess things up. Then Diane, who is traveling with her boyfriend Jeff, unwittingly makes herself an easy target. The story is mainly from Jeff's viewpoint, as he searches for Diane. Barney watches him.
Writers: Tim Krabbé, Todd Graff
Cast: Jeff Bridges
-
Barney Cousins
Kiefer Sutherland
-
Jeff Harriman
Nancy Travis
-
Rita Baker
Sandra Bullock
-
Diane Shaver
Park Overall
-
Lynn
Maggie Linderman
-
Denise Cousins
Lisa Eichhorn
-
Helene Cousins
George Hearn
-
Arthur Bernard
Lynn Hamilton
-
Miss Carmichael
Garrett Bennett
-
Cop at Gas Station
(as Gareth Bennett)
George Catalano
-
Highway Cop
Frank Girardeau
-
Cop at Apartment
Stephen Bridgewater
-
TV Host
(as Stephen Wesley Bridgewater)
Susan Barnes
-
Colleague
Rich Hawkins
-
Stan
Taglines:
If someone you loved mysteriously vanished how far out of your mind would you go to find them?
Release Date: 5 February 1993
Filming Locations: Bellevue, Washington, USA
Gross: $14,543,394
(USA)
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Did You Know?
Trivia:
The cabin by the lake scenes were filmed at Camp Omache, a Boy Scout summer camp near Monroe, WA.
Goofs:
Continuity:
When in the tunnel, Jeff closes the door when Diane is looking for the flashlight. In the next shot, the door can be see open without anybody opening it..
Quotes: Cop at Apartment:
How many have you had to drink? Lynn:
One... after another.
User Review
The original is way better; evidence against the Hollywood film system
Rating:
This film is way inferior to the Dutch original (the fact that the same
director directed both is another story). This movie has obviously been
toned down for American audiences, which is insulting if you've seen them
both (I stumbled onto the remake on cable late at night). The original is a
thriller in the truest sense of the word, and is far more intelligent,
disturbing, and scary than the Hollywood version. I bet the producers
assumed American audiences couldn't handle disturbing well so they gave us a
more friendly version, very insulting. If you're going to see this version,
make sure you rent the original too and watch it first, just to see how much
the remake pales in comparison. If you don't like psychological, disturbing,
riveting, and no-downbeat-endings in your thrillers, the 1993 version is for
you. But if you want to be truly blown away, the Dutch original is very
highly recommended over this one.
Plot
Rex and Saskia, a young couple in love, are on vacation. They stop at a busy service station and Saskia is abducted. After three years and no sign of Saskia, Rex begins receiving letters from the abductor.
Release Year: 1988
Rating: 7.9/10 (13,472 voted)
Director:
George Sluizer
Stars: Bernard-Pierre Donnadieu, Gene Bervoets, Johanna ter Steege
Storyline Rex and Saskia are on holiday, a young couple in love. They stop at a busy service station and Saskia disappears. Rex dedicates the next three years trying to find her. Then he receives some postcards from her abductor, who promises to reveal what has happened to Saskia. The abductor, Raymond Lemorne, is a chilling character to whom Rex is drawn by his intense desire to learn the truth behind his lovers disappearance. The truth is more sinister than he dared imagine.
Writers: Tim Krabbé, Tim Krabbé
Cast: Bernard-Pierre Donnadieu
-
Raymond Lemorne
Gene Bervoets
-
Rex Hofman
Johanna ter Steege
-
Saskia Wagter
Gwen Eckhaus
-
Lieneke
Bernadette Le Saché
-
Simone Lemorne
Tania Latarjet
-
Denise Lemorne
Lucille Glenn
-
Gabrielle 'Gaby' Lemorne
Roger Souza
-
Manager
Caroline Appéré
-
Cashier
Pierre Forget
-
Farmer Laurent
Didier Rousset
-
TV Journalist
Raphaëline Goupilleau
-
Gisele Marzin
(as Raphaëline)
Robert Lucibello
-
Teacher
David Bayle
-
Lemorne (16 Years)
Doumee
-
Lady 'Prisunic'
(as Doumée)
Trivia:
The film was submitted to the Academy Awards in 1988 as the official Dutch entry for Best Foreign Language Film. However, the AMPAS disqualified it because they determined that there was too much French dialog in the film to warrant it being a Dutch candidate.
Goofs:
Continuity:
Raymond tells Rex that when he was a teenager, he jumped from a balcony and lost two of his fingers. However, the adult Raymond clearly has 10 fingers for the duration of the movie.
Quotes: Raymond Lemorne:
My daughter was bursting with pride. But I thought that her admiration wasn't worth anything unless I could prove myself absolutely incapable of doing anything evil. And as black cannot exist without white, I logically conceived the most horrible deed that I could envision right at that moment. But I want you to know, for me killing is not the worst thing.
User Review
How far would you go to find the truth?
Rating: 9/10
After reading several recommendations of Spoorloos (a.k.a. The
Vanishing), I went ahead and bought the Criterion DVD release, which,
by the way, has no extras. Let me say, I was not disappointed with the
movie. If you like well-made, well-directed thrillers, it is definitely
worth checking out. The story was simple enough; Rex's girlfriend
mysteriously disappears at a gas station they stopped at while on
vacation. Cut ahead three years and you still have him searching for
her. Due to his persistence, the man responsible finally decides to get
involved.
With very little violence and no gore, Spoorloos was able to leave the
viewer in a truly depressing state. Some people might call it boring
but I found the slow and steady pace to work in favor of the
characters, as the acting was top notch. So was the direction of the
scenes, which were set up quite nicely. It was interesting to see such
attention paid to both the victim and criminal's point of view. You
could really understand the desperation, confusion, and obsession that
Rex felt with his loss. In turn, you see cold evil in a form that does
exist in our world. While maybe not shocking to all viewers, the ending
is terrifyingly tragic, made so by the realism and calmness throughout
the film. Just ask yourself, how would you feel if that happened to
you?
If pushed for a criticism, I would say that some of the symbolism
seemed a bit too heavy handed but other then that, this is an
intelligent, deep thriller. I have not seen the American remake (oddly
enough, both versions are from director George Sluizer) but I can all
but guarantee that the original is what you want to go with first. Many
people suggest skipping the remake altogether!
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