Missing (1982)

Director:

Costa-Gavras

Writers:

Costa-Gavras (writer)
Thomas Hauser (book)

Release Date:

28 May 1982 (Sweden)

Genre:

Crime | Drama | Mystery | Thriller

Plot:

Based on the real-life experiences of Ed Horman, this is the story of an American father of conservative...

Plot Keywords:

Physical Abuse | Mysterious Events | One Word Title | Disturbing | Christian Science

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

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Iceland:12 | Argentina:Atp (re-rating) | Argentina:18 (original rating) | Peru:14 | 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:

Nathaniel Davis, who was depicted as "Ray Tower" in the film (played by actor Charles Cioffi), went on to file a $150 million libel suit against Universal Pictures and Costa-Gavras after the film was released. It was eventually dismissed. In a January 2007 Q & A with Costa-Gavras about the film, the director credited this to Lew Wasserman, then head of Universal, who so strongly supported the film that he insisted the studio absolutely refuse to negotiate any kind of financial settlement whatsoever.

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: Listen, Mr Horman, I wish there was something we could say or do.
Ed Horman: Well, there's something I'm going to do. I'm going to sue you, Phil. And Tower and the Ambassador and everybody who let that boy die. We're going to make it so hot for you you'll wish you were stationed in the Antartic.
Consul Phil Putnam: Well, I guess that's your privilege.
Ed Horman: No, that's my right! I just thank God we live in a country where we can still put people like you in jail.

Movie Connections:

Featured in The 55th Annual Academy Awards (1983) (TV)

Soundtrack:

MY WHOLE WORLD IS FALLING DOWN

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)