The Vanishing (1993)

The boyfriend of an abducted woman never gives up the search as the abductor looks on.

Director:

George Sluizer

Writers:

Tim Krabbé (novel), Todd Graff (screenplay)

Stars:

Jeff Bridges, Kiefer Sutherland, Nancy Travis

2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jeff Bridges	...	Barney Cousins
Kiefer Sutherland	...	Jeff Harriman
Nancy Travis	...	Rita Baker
Sandra Bullock	...	Diane Shaver
Park Overall	...	Lynn
Maggie Linderman	...	Denise Cousins
Lisa Eichhorn	...	Helene Cousins
George Hearn	...	Arthur Bernard
Lynn Hamilton	...	Miss Carmichael
Garrett Bennett	...	Cop at Gas Station
George Catalano	...	Highway Cop
Frank Girardeau	...	Cop at Apartment
Stephen Bridgewater	...	TV Host (as Stephen Wesley Bridgewater)
Susan Barnes	...	Colleague
Rich Hawkins	...	Stan

Storyline

Barney teaches chemisty, and is planning to abduct a woman. Despite methodical planning and countless trial runs he always manages to mess things up. Then Diane, who is traveling with her boyfriend Jeff, unwittingly makes herself an easy target. The story is mainly from Jeff's viewpoint, as he searches for Diane. Barney watches him.

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Plot Keywords:

kidnapping | obsession | missing person | buried alive | remake by original director | 

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Taglines:

Obsession is the Ultimate Weapon

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Genres:

Drama | Horror | Mystery | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for terror and violence, and for language

Did You Know?

Trivia

Jeff Bridges uses a fake arm cast to lure women into his vehicle. Ted Bundy used the same method in real life.

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Goofs

When Jeff starts writing the note to Diane that he's going to look for her, he puts no dash after "Di". When he puts the note on the windshield, the handwriting is different, with a dash after Di.

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Quotes

Cop at Gas Station: I stongly urge you to move your face back to where it was.

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Connections

Referenced in Smallville: Roulette (2009)

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Soundtracks

WIPE OUT
Written by Ronald Wilson (as Ron Wilson), Robert Berryhill, James Fuller and Patrick Connolly (as Patrick Connelly)

User Reviews

A good film, but...

Though I found The Vanishing a really interesting movie, I recommend checking out the original, the 1988 Dutch film Spoorloos. It's far creepier than the "Americanized" version. I was never a big fan of foreign films before Spoorloos, but that movie introduced me to a whole new aisle at the video store.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

5 February 1993 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Vanishing

Filming Locations:

Mountainside Shell Station, 742 SW Mt Si Boulevard, North Bend, Washington, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$5,009,928, 7 February 1993

Gross USA:

$14,543,394

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$14,543,394

Company Credits

Production Co:

Twentieth Century Fox

Technical Specs

Runtime:

109 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1