- Missing (film)
-
Not to be confused with The Missing.
Missing 
Directed by Costa-Gavras Produced by Edward Lewis
Mildred LewisWritten by Donald E. Stewart
Costa-Gavras
Thomas Hauser (book)Starring Jack Lemmon
Sissy Spacek
Melanie Mayron
John Shea
Janice RuleMusic by Vangelis Cinematography Ricardo Aronovich Editing by Françoise Bonnot Studio PolyGram Filmed Entertainment Distributed by Universal Pictures Release date(s) February 12, 1982 Running time 122 minutes Country United States Language English
SpanishMissing is a 1982 American drama film directed by Costa Gavras, and starring Jack Lemmon, Sissy Spacek, Melanie Mayron, John Shea, Charles Cioffi and Janice Rule. It is based on the true story of American journalist Charles Horman, who disappeared in the bloody aftermath of the US-backed Chilean coup of 1973 that deposed leftist President Salvador Allende.
The film was banned in Chile during Pinochet's dictatorship, even though neither Chile nor Pinochet are specifically mentioned by name in the film (although the Chilean cities of Viña del Mar and Santiago are).[1]
Both the film and Thomas Hauser's book The Execution of Charles Horman were removed from the market, following a lawsuit filed against Costa-Gavras and Universal Pictures's parent company MCA by former Ambassador Nathaniel Davis and two others for defamation of character. A lawsuit against Hauser himself was dismissed because the statute of limitations had expired. Davis and his compatriots lost their lawsuit, after which the film was released by Universal in 2006.[citation needed]
A disclaimer from the State Department shown before the ending credits denies the United States' involvement in the death of Charles Horman, and they maintain that position to this day.
Contents
Plot
The film opens with Costa-Gavras' statement that the events of the film are true, and ends with a disclaimer from the United States Department of State denying that the events in the film happened. Set largely during the days and weeks following Horman's disappearance, the film depicts his father and wife searching to determine his fate. The film is based on a book that was first published under the title The Execution of Charles Horman: An American Sacrifice (1978) by Thomas Hauser (later republished under the title Missing in 1982).
Production
The score is by the Greek electronic composer Vangelis. The movie's piano theme has been used extensively in commercials, but an official release of the film's soundtrack has not yet occurred. The main theme appeared first on Vangelis' 1989 album Themes. A bootleg release of the soundtrack exists. A sung version with lyrics by Tim Rice has been recorded by Elaine Paige.
The film was released on both VHS and Laserdisc, but the VHS version of the film would be pulled from the market due to the lawsuit filed against director Costa-Gavras. Universal Home Video would re-release the film on DVD in 2006, following the dismissal of the lawsuit. A special edition DVD was released by The Criterion Collection in October 2008.
Reception
Missing won the Academy Award for Writing Adapted Screenplay, and was nominated for Best Actor in a Leading Role (Jack Lemmon), Best Actress in a Leading Role (Sissy Spacek) and Best Picture. The film also won the Palme d'Or (Golden Palm) at the 1982 Cannes Film Festival, [2] where Lemmon was awarded Best Actor for his performance.[2]
Cast
Actor Role Jack Lemmon Ed Horman Sissy Spacek Beth Horman Melanie Mayron Terry Simon John Shea Charles 'Charlie' Horman Charles Cioffi Capt. Ray Tower, USN 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 David McGeary Janice Rule Kate Newman Ward Costello Congressman Hansford Rowe Senator Tina Romero Maria Richard Whiting Statesman See also
References
- ^ "Missing". Chicago Sun-Times. http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/19820101/REVIEWS/201010332/1023.
- ^ a b "Festival de Cannes: Missing". festival-cannes.com. http://www.festival-cannes.com/en/archives/ficheFilm/id/1565/year/1982.html. Retrieved 2009-06-12.
External links
- Missing at the Internet Movie Database
- Missing at Rotten Tomatoes
- Missing at AllRovi
The films of Costa-Gavras The Sleeping Car Murders · Shock Troops · Z · The Confession · State of Siege · Special Section · Womanlight · Missing · Hanna K. · Family Business · Betrayed · Music Box · Against Oblivion · The Little Apocalypse · À propos de Nice, la suite (segment) · Lumière and Company (segment) · Mad City · Amen. · Le Couperet · Eden Is WestPalme d'Or winning films – 1980–1999 All That Jazz (1980) · Kagemusha (1980) · Man of Iron (1981) · Missing (1982) · Yol (1982) · The Ballad of Narayama (1983) · Paris, Texas (1984) · When Father Was Away on Business (1985) · The Mission (1986) · Under the Sun of Satan (1987) · Pelle the Conqueror (1988) · Sex, Lies, and Videotape (1989) · Wild at Heart (1990) · Barton Fink (1991) · The Best Intentions (1992) · Farewell My Concubine (1993) · The Piano (1993) · Pulp Fiction (1994) · Underground (1995) · Secrets & Lies (1996) · Taste of Cherry (1997) · The Eel (1997) · Eternity and a Day (1998) · Rosetta (1999)
Categories:- 1982 films
- American films
- English-language films
- Spanish-language films
- Docudramas
- Political films
- Films based on actual events
- Films based on non-fiction books
- Universal Pictures films
- Palme d'Or winners
- History of Chile
- Films depicting Latin American military dictatorships
- Films whose writer won the Best Adapted Screenplay Academy Award
- Films set in Chile
- Films directed by Costa Gavras
- Political thriller films
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