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

Slow start, but go for it

I had never heard of the "The Disapperance", but then again there are very few movies from the late 70s that come to my mind at all. But I do like Donald Sutherland and I try to see much of his contributions to film.

This movie almost made me give up. I found the beginning confusing, the setting boring, and the flashbacks frustrating. However for Donald's sake I struggled through. The feelings I experienced may well have been the intended design.

As the story progresses, it does become more interesting. The plot has some nice changes and I found myself more encouraged to concentrate on the developments, and eventually was actually enjoying the movie.

I don't know if I would watch this a second time, but I am glad I survived it the first time. The ending didn't surprise me, but if you are a fan of Donald's as well, you should try "The Disappearance" and see how you feel at the end of it.