7.7/10
18,657
105 user 75 critic

Missing - Desaparecido (1982)

Missing (original title)
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) | 1 more credit »
Won 1 Oscar. Another 11 wins & 21 nominations. See more awards »

Photos

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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 Ward Costello ... Congressman
Hansford Rowe ... Senator
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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. Written by Claudio Carvalho, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

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.


Certificate:

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Parents Guide:

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Did You Know?

Trivia

One of a number of movies that actress Sissy Spacek made for Universal Pictures after she had won the Best Actress Academy Award for that studio's 1980 film A Filha do Mineiro (1980). The other films were O Rio (1984), Boa Noite Mãe (1986) and O Homem Pobre (1981). See more »

Goofs

In the opening scene, as Charlie and Terry are getting out of Capt. Tower's car, Terry opens her door just a bit and pauses, as Capt. Tower hands her his card. Shot is from outside the car on Terry's side. In the next shot, from Capt. Tower's side, the door hasn't been opened yet. See more »

Quotes

Silvio: You Americans, you always assume you must do something before you can be arrested.
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Connections

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

Soundtracks

My Whole World Is Falling Down
(1963)
Written by Bill Anderson (uncredited) and Jerry Crutchfield (uncredited)
Performed by Brenda Lee
Courtesy of MCA Records, Inc.
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User Reviews

 
Powerful political thriller
13 August 2000 | by jhaggardjrSee all my reviews

"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)


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Frequently Asked Questions

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Details

Country:

USA | Mexico

Language:

English | Spanish | French

Release Date:

27 August 1982 (Portugal) See more »

Also Known As:

Missing - Desaparecido See more »

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Box Office

Budget:

$9,500,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$14,000,000

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$14,000,000
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Company Credits

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Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Mono (magnetic tape PYRAL)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
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