The Disappearance (1977)

Thriller about a contract killer whose wife has disappeared. When he is hired by an international organisation to carry out a "shy" or hit, he suspects they are connected with her disappearance.

Director:

Stuart Cooper

Writers:

Paul Mayersberg (screenplay), Derek Marlowe (novel)

Stars:

Donald Sutherland, Francine Racette, David Hemmings

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Donald Sutherland	...	Jay Mallory
Francine Racette	...	Celandine
David Hemmings	...	Edward
John Hurt	...	Atkinson
David Warner	...	Burbank
Peter Bowles	...	Jefferies
Virginia McKenna	...	Catherine
Christopher Plummer	...	Deverell
Michèle Magny	...	Melanie
Dan Howard	...	James (as Duane Howard)
Robin Sachs	...	Young Man
Christina Greatrex	...	Secretary
Robert Korne	...	Dominic
Michael Eric Kramer	...	Peter (as Michael Kramer)
Maureen Beck	...	Maid

Storyline

Contract hit man Jay Mallory works for an unknown organization. He returns home to his downtown Montréal apartment one winter day to find that his wife, Celandine, is gone. Mallory initially thinks that Celandine has left on her own volition since theirs was a sometimes stormy, albeit passionate, relationship. However, words from Mallory's main point of contact at the organization, Burbank, indicate that Celandine's disappearance may be associated with Mallory's last hit. Shortly after their discussion, Burbank himself disappears. The organization assigns Mallory another job in Suffolk, England. Mallory has a feeling that there is something unusual about this job - he is given little initial information including not knowing who the target is - and that it too is associated with Celandine's disappearance. Despite feeling that he may be being set up, Mallory decides to take the job anyway to see how it plays out and if it leads him back to Celandine.

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Plot Keywords:

disappearance | winter | canadian noir | death of protagonist | flashback | 

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Taglines:

A violent passion held them together. A passion for violence ripped them apart.

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Genres:

Drama | Thriller

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

UK Canada

Language:

English French

Release Date:

December 1977 (UK)

Also Known As:

Adistaktos dolofonos, tryferos erastis

Filming Locations:

Clandon Hall, Guildford, Surrey, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

CAD 1,800,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

National Film Trustees, Tiberius Film Productions, Troflar

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Did You Know?

Trivia

Barbara Parkins was going to be in this project but was replaced before filming began.

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Connections

Referenced in Z Channel: A Magnificent Obsession (2004)

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Soundtracks

"The Last Embrace"
Music by Craig Huntley
Lyrics by HansJürgen Bauer

User Reviews

In the film, Donald Sutherland plays an international hit-man, set out to find his missing wife which is based on the novel 'Echoes of Celandine' by Derek Marlowe.

I was lucky enough to view Stuart Cooper's original cut of 'The Disappearance' which has never seen and is not available on DVD.

Just like his film OVERLORD which has been released by the Criterion Collection and become a classic, 'The Disappearance' holds it's own. The acting is first rate, the original music is lush and the John Alcott's cinematography is outstanding.

It is a shame that untalented producers are allowed to tamper with the original works. The original is in a non-linear format. Perhaps the reviewers should watch the original uncut/unedited version and then I would think they would revise their reviews. It is brilliant! Hopefully it will be screened at a festival in the future so all can enjoy.