Spoorloos (1988)

User Rating:

8.0/10   

Director:

George Sluizer

Writers:

Tim Krabbé (novel)
Tim Krabbé (screenplay)
(more)

Release Date:

27 October 1988 (Netherlands)

Genre:

Crime | Drama | Mystery | Thriller

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.

Plot Keywords:

Abductor | Love | Truck Stop | Road Trip | Flashback

Awards:

6 wins & 2 nominations

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
Raphaeline	...	Gisele Marzin
Robert Lucibello	...	Teacher
David Bayle	...	Lemorne (16 Years)
Doumee	...	Lady 'Prisunic' (as Doumée)
Eric Jacquet	...	Pump Attendant
Aziz Djahnit	...	Pump Attendant
Linda Wise	...	English Tourist
Ian Magilton	...	English Tourist
Mieke De Groote	...	Belgian Tourist
Jean Grandeau	...	German Tourist
Faustine Wuensche	...	Little Girl (as Faustine Wünsche)
Ghislaine Gazaix	...	Hitchhiker
M. Martinez	...	Cafe Owner
François Guizerix	...	Cop and Sports Commentator
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Reinier Verhoef	...	Evert (5 jaar) (uncredited)

Directed by
George Sluizer

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
Tim Krabbé		novel "The Golden Egg"
Tim Krabbé		screenplay
George Sluizer		adaptation

Produced by
Anne Lordon	....	producer
George Sluizer	....	producer

Original Music by
Henny Vrienten

Cinematography by
Toni Kuhn

Film Editing by
Lin Friedman
George Sluizer

Art Direction by
Santiago Isidro Pin

Costume Design by
Sophie Dussaud

Makeup Department
Léone Noël	....	makeup artist
Beppie van den Berg	....	hair stylist

Production Management
Anne Lordon	....	production supervisor

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Natasa Hanusová	....	first assistant director (as Natasa Hanusova)
Anouk Sluizer	....	second assistant director

Art Department
William Abello	....	sets and props
Eric Lussaud	....	set builder
Philippe Renucci	....	sets and props
Cor Spijk	....	art director: Holland
Serge Vassal	....	set builder

Sound Department
Stefan Kamp	....	assistant sound editor
Joop Pieëte	....	sound re-recording mixer
Piotr van Dijk	....	sound
Jac Vleeshouwers	....	sound assistant

Camera and Electrical Department
Gerard Keller	....	best boy electric
Kees Kroese	....	electrician
Jutka Rona	....	still photographer
Beat Scheidegger	....	gaffer
Jan van den Nieuwenhuyzen	....	clapper loader
Albert van der Wildt	....	additional camera operator
Appie Vermeeren	....	grip
Jan Wich	....	additional camera operator
Jan Wich	....	assistant camera
Thijs Wijdeveld	....	key grip

Casting Department
François Guizerix	....	casting: France
Jeannette Snik	....	casting advisor: Holland

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Caroline Hartman	....	dresser

Other crew
Jean-Claude Bernière	....	production assistant
Farideh Fardjam	....	actor's coach
Lin Friedman	....	production coordinator
François Guizerix	....	production assistant
Henri Steen	....	location manager: Holland
Leonie Valckx	....	continuity
Trix van Alphen	....	publicity assistant
Guillaume Voire	....	production assistant

Production Companies

• Argos Films
• Golden Egg
• Ingrid Productions
• MGS Film
• Movie Visions

Distributors

• Meteor Film Productions (1988) (Netherlands) (theatrical)
• Pathé (1989) (France) (theatrical)
• Tara (1990) (USA) (theatrical) (subtitled)
• Fox/Lorber Video (1991) (USA) (VHS)
• Criterion Collection, The (2004) (USA) (DVD)
• Umbrella Entertainment (2003) (Australia) (DVD)
• Sandrew Metronome Distribution (2005) (Finland) (DVD)
• NCA Pictures (Brazil) (VHS)

Also Known As:

L'homme qui voulait savoir (France)
The Vanishing (International: English title)

Runtime:

107 min

Country:

Netherlands | France

Language:

Dutch | French | English

Colour:

Colour

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Finland:K-11 (2005) | Iceland:16 | France:-12 | Netherlands:16 | UK:12 | USA:Unrated | West Germany:16 | Singapore:PG | Australia:M

Filming Locations:

Buitenveldert, Amsterdam, Noord-Holland, Netherlands

Company:

Argos Films

Goofs:

Continuity: When the Lemorne women are running towards the canal to help Raymond and the little girl, Simone is seen wearing a pink blouse with a green jacket. The next scene shows her wearing a black spaghetti-strapped shirt. When the family is seen leaving, Simone is wearing her original outfit.

Quotes:

Raymond Lemorne: You see, Mr Hoffman. For me, dying is not the worse thing.

Movie Connections:

Version of The Vanishing (1993)

You won't want to let your loved ones out of your sight after this film

There aren't too many scenarios like this one. The original version and the Hollywood remake of this film were both directed by the same man, George Sluizer. As I understand from popular opinion, this is one film that was fine the first time round, and not well received on the second go. I cannot fairly compare them, and I have no more desire to see the remake of "Spoorloos" than I do the remake of "La Femme Nikita", namely "The Point Of No Return".

I saw the original version upon the strong recommendation of a newspaper reviewer proclaiming it one of the most disturbing films they'd ever seen. The photograph of a young couple about to be torn apart in the paper reeled me in.

A pleasant holiday excursion goes horribly wrong when a man's lady friend goes missing at a crowded rest stop. He grasps at straws in desperation as very little can be done because few clues or leads exist. The abduction is arbitrary and nearly flawless.

The film was indeed well done and what struck me the most was the focus on that of the villain. It is a portrayal of a normal, respectable family man who trains himself in meticulous detail for an abduction. His cold, calculating approach is probably the most frightening aspect. His inhumanity is difficult to comprehend.

Many film endings can be shocking and may stick with you forever, and for a lot of people that is certainly the case with this film. That's why I was surprised to learn that the TV commercials for this film gave away the ending. However it didn't ruin the film for me.

The suspense and chilling setting of this film makes it hard to forget. The viewer constantly wondering, "What would I do?" or "How would I cope?". Impossible questions we all hope we'll never find the answer to.

Of course, keep a few handy responses in mind should you watch this with your better half when they ask the inevitable, almost rhetorical question, "What would you do if I went missing and you couldn't find me?"

"I'd surely die, dear."