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:

If someone you loved mysteriously vanished how far out of your mind would you go to find them?

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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

Kiefer Sutherland and Sandra Bullock would work together again in A Time to Kill (1996) two years later.

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Goofs

During the opening, the handlebars on the bicycles on top of the vehicle change direction several times.

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Quotes

Jeff Harriman: This letter's the first break I've had in three years, Rita. I can nail this fucker.
Rita Baker: Yeah, go to the police! You can't do this on your own?
Jeff Harriman: The police? They'll laugh at me. I'm a joke to them.
Rita Baker: I hate to say it, but I'm starting to see their point.
Jeff Harriman: Don't do this to me, not now.
Rita Baker: Jesus Christ, you are amazing! Did it ever occur to you that she doesn't wanna be found? Goodbye, Jeff.
Jeff Harriman: Go on, run like a coward. At least Diane was taken by force.
Rita Baker: I am *not* Diane!

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Connections

Featured in Biography: Sandra Bullock: In the Driver's Seat (2005)

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Soundtracks

QUITTIN' TIME
Written by Ray Benson and Tim DuBois
Performed by Asleep at the Wheel
Courtesy of Arista Records

User Reviews

Hmmm...2 versions. Which should I watch?

As everyone who has reviewed this film here has mentioned, there are two versions of this movie, one Dutch, one American, both directed by the same fellow. Which should you see first? Which should you avoid, if any? Decide for yourself... I saw the Dutch version in 1994, and it absolutely blew my socks off. I was horrified, didn't want to keep watching it, but I was pulled in and couldn't stop until the brilliant, ultra-chilling, uncompromising finale. This was my first foreign film, and so I was completely unprepared for such a non-Hollywood experience. I will remember this movie for the rest of my life. Later on, I caught the American version in the theatres, watched it, a few thrills here and there, yadda, yadda. Jeff Bridges was pretty creepy, but quite frankly, I would have completely forgotten about it by now if it weren't for the original. It's not horrible, it just pales in comparison to a masterpiece.

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