Missing (1982)

User Rating:

7.7/10   

Director:

Costa-Gavras

Writers:

Costa-Gavras (writer)
Thomas Hauser (book)

Release Date:

28 May 1982 (Sweden)

Genre:

Drama | History | Mystery | Thriller

Plot:

When an idealistic writer disappears during the Right Wing military coup in 1973 Chile, his wife and American businessman father try to find him.

Plot Keywords:

American | Search | Journalist | Military | Coup

Awards:

Won Oscar. Another 8 wins & 13 nominations

Cast

Jack Lemmon	...	Ed Horman
Sissy Spacek	...	Beth Horman
Melanie Mayron	...	Terry Simon
John Shea	...	Charles 'Charlie' Horman
Charles Cioffi	...	Capt. Ray Tower, USN
David Clennon	...	Consul Phil Putnam
Richard Venture	...	U.S. Ambassador
Jerry Hardin	...	Col. Sean Patrick
Richard Bradford	...	Andrew Babcock
Joe Regalbuto	...	Frank Teruggi
Keith Szarabajka	...	David Holloway
John Doolittle	...	David McGeary
Janice Rule	...	Kate Newman
Ward Costello	...	Congressman
Hansford Rowe	...	Senator

Runtime:

122 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Spanish

Colour:

Colour (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Iceland:12 | Peru:14 | Argentina:18 (original rating) | Argentina:Atp (re-rating) | Australia:M | Chile:18 | Finland:K-16 | Norway:16 | Singapore:PG | Spain:18 | Sweden:15 | USA:PG | West Germany:12 (re-rating) | UK:15 (re-rating) (1987) | UK:AA (original rating)

Filming Locations:

Acapulco, Guerrero, Mexico

Company:

PolyGram Filmed Entertainment

Trivia:

The film was shot in Mexico under great secrecy by Hollywood's standards, as its subject matter was considered so controversial.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: Several late-70s AMC/VAM (Vehiculos Automotores Mexicanos S.A.) cars such as Hornets and Pacers appear throughout the movie, despite depicting events in 1973.

Quotes:

Consul Phil Putnam: Please try to understand There are so many cases. They're all so important, and this isn't the only one we're working on
Ed Horman: It's the only one I care about.
Consul Phil Putnam: You and a lot of other people. Listen, I've never seen so many cables from Washington. What kind of pull do you have up there anyway?
Ed Horman: I'm an American citizen.

Movie Connections:

References The Little Prince (1974)

Soundtrack:

ALL OR NOTHING AT ALL

Powerful political thriller

"Missing" is a strong, powerful political thriller about the real life story of a man and woman who search for their missing son/husband during the 1973 coup in a volatile South American country. Jack Lemmon and Sissy Spacek give brilliant, Oscar-nominated performances as Ed and Beth Horman, the father and wife of their beloved one who has disappeared without a trace. The film follows their frustrating search in a country (which is Chile even though the movie never reveals) that I would not dare live in. Things get more frustrating for the Hormans when they start to believe that the American representatives there are not telling them everything. Directed by Costa-Gavras ("Z"), "Missing" is an emotional film that keep me interested for its entire two hours. Lemmon and Spacek are great as usual, and there are supporting roles for Melanie Mayron and Joe Regalbuto, a couple of years before they turned up on TV's "Thirtysomething" and "Murphy Brown", respectably. "Missing" is one of the best, strongest political thrillers ever made.

***1/2 (out of four)