The Vanishing (2018)

Three lighthouse keepers on the remote Flannan Isles find a hidden trunk of gold, leading to their mysterious disappearance.

Director:

Kristoffer Nyholm

Writers:

Joe Bone, Celyn Jones

Stars:

Gerard Butler, Peter Mullan, Connor Swindells

Cast

Credited cast:
Gerard Butler	...	James Ducat
Peter Mullan	...	Thomas Marshall
Connor Swindells	...	Donald McArthur
Søren Malling	...	Locke
Ólafur Darri Ólafsson	...	Boor
Gary Lewis	...	Kenny
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Ken Drury	...	Duncan
Roderick Gilkison	...	Galley Hand
Emma King	...	Mary
John Taylor	...	Fisherman

Storyline

Formally known as KEEPERS, The Vanishing is Inspired by the Flannan Isle mystery. A small relief boat approaches the Isle, a tiny isolated island no bigger than a football pitch, 20 miles off a rugged coast. Its aim is to routinely replace the three lighthouse keepers, after 6 weeks alone manning the light. It nears the dock and none of the men greet them. The winch is broken. A call. Nothing. Experienced keepers Thomas, James and Donald have vanished. The lamps are clean and refilled; the table is laid for dinner. There is an upturned chair. Two sets of yellow oilskins are missing...The men were never found.

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Taglines:

What's left when the light goes out?

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Genres:

Drama | Mystery | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for violence and language

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

4 January 2019 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Vanishing

Filming Locations:

Scotland, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Mad As Birds, G-BASE, Head Gear Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

101 min

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

Records show that on December 12th, 1900, Thomas Marshall, the second assistant keeper, wrote in the lighthouse log of "severe winds the likes of which I have never seen before in twenty years". He also noted that Principal keeper James Ducat had been "very quiet" and that the third assistant, William McArthur, had been crying, although McArthur was a seasoned mariner and known as a tough brawler on the mainland. The December 13th entries stated that the storm was still raging and that all three men had been praying, despite the fact that all were experienced lighthouse keepers and were safely situated in what was a brand new lighthouse, 150 feet above sea level. Also strange is that weather records of the day had no reported storms in the area on the 12th, 13th and 14th of December that year and show the weather was calm, with storms not coming until December 17th. The final log entry at the lighthouse was made on December 15th. It simply read "Storm ended, sea calm. God is over all."

User Reviews

Depressing Movie

If you like a slow burning drama filmed in very few locations with fewer actors, then the story may prove interesting enough together with the great performances.

For me though, it did not hold my attention enough and the dull and sometimes quite dark scenes did nothing to help this slow story unfolding.

Boring,slow and depressing for some, drama lovers may find it interesting.