Missing (1982)

When an idealistic American writer disappears during the Chilean coup d'état in September 1973, his wife and father try to find him.

Director:

Costa-Gavras

Writers:

Costa-Gavras (screenplay), Donald E. Stewart (screenplay) (as Donald Stewart)

Stars:

Jack Lemmon, Sissy Spacek, Melanie Mayron

Won 1 Oscar. Another 11 wins & 21 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jack Lemmon	...	Ed Horman
Sissy Spacek	...	Beth Horman
Melanie Mayron	...	Terry Simon
John Shea	...	Charles Horman
Charles Cioffi	...	Captain Ray Tower
David Clennon	...	Consul Phil Putnam
Richard Venture	...	U.S. Ambassador
Jerry Hardin	...	Colonel Sean Patrick
Richard Bradford	...	Andrew Babcock
Joe Regalbuto	...	Frank Teruggi
Keith Szarabajka	...	David Holloway
John Doolittle	...	Dave McGeary
Janice Rule	...	Kate Newman
Ward Costello	...	Congressman
Hansford Rowe	...	Senator

Storyline

In September1973, in Chile, the American journalist Charles Horman arrives in Valparaiso with his friend Terry Simon to meet his wife Beth and bring her back to New York with him. However, they are surprised by the military coup d'état sponsored by the US Government to replace President Salvador Allende and Charles is arrested by the military force. His father Ed Horman, a conservative businessman from New York, arrives in Chile to seek out his missing son with Beth. He goes to the American Consulate to meet the Consul that promises the best efforts to find Charles while the skeptical Beth does not trust on the word of the American authorities. The nationalism and confidence of Ed in his government changes when he finds the truth about what happened with his beloved son.

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Plot Keywords:

american | military | coup | chile | missing | 

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Taglines:

Charlie Horman thought that being an American would guarantee his safety. His family believed that being Americans would guarantee them the truth. They were all wrong.

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | History | Mystery | Thriller

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Certificate:

PG

Did You Know?

Trivia

One of three movies starring both Jack Lemmon and Sissy Spacek. They also appear in the equally controversial JFK (1991), a large ensemble cast where they share no scenes. Both films received several Oscar nominations including Best Picture. The third movie featuring Spacek and Lemmon is The Grass Harp (1995).

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Goofs

The opening credits roll on a shot of Charlie looking out on the street from the back seat of Capt. Tower's car. The window covers about half of his face, so it's a little more than halfway down. In the next shot showing the car, Charlie is still staring out the window (hasn't moved), but the window is most of the way down.

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Quotes

Beth Horman: And what are the basics? God, country and Wall Street?
Ed Horman: You know what I mean.
Beth Horman: I know, I know. God bless our way of life!
Ed Horman: Oh, a very good way of life it is, young lady, no matter how much people like you and Charles try to tear it down with your sloppy idealism. I can no longer abide the young people of our country who live off their parents and the fat of the land and then they find nothing better to do than whine and complain.

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Connections

Featured in MsMojo: Top 10 Iconic Movie Heroines of the 1980s (2019)

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Soundtracks

Missing (Opening Theme)
Written and performed by Vangelis

User Reviews

Still has the power.....

A terrific and brutal political thriller. It's supposed to shake you up and it really succeeds. It's a shame that they don't make films like this anymore. Costa-Gavras's "Missing" is emotionally riveting and thought provoking. For it's time, it still has the power to change the views of todays movie viewers. A must see. 5/5.

Details

Country:

USA Mexico

Language:

English Spanish French

Release Date:

12 March 1982 (USA)

Also Known As:

Missing

Filming Locations:

Gran Hotel de la Ciudad de Mexico, Calle 16 de Septiembre Zocale, Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico

Box Office

Budget:

$9,500,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$14,000,000

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$14,000,000

Company Credits

Production Co:

PolyGram Filmed Entertainment, Universal Pictures, Estudios Churubusco Azteca S.A.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

122 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (magnetic tape PYRAL)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1