 |
George Sluizer's original 1988 thriller is an ambitious suspenseful thriller with many layers of subtext, depth and insightful moments of tension. A obsessive man (Gene Bervoets) begins a three-year investigation for his missing girlfriend (Johanna ter Steege) who has vanished hence the title, at a roadside convenience store. Bernard-Pierre Donnadieu gives an underrated performance as a mild-mannered professor/family man with a secretive psychotic side. As soon as he appears on screen, we knew right away who the abductor is. The movie constantly shifts back-and-forth from Bervoets' search to Donnadieu's private life in an attempt to keep the viewer on the edge of his/her seat. That is until we get to the most-talked about and most-parodied ending in cinema history. If you have a choice between this version and the American version, then your guess is as good as mine. Although Jeff Bridges is a terrific actor, but he couldn't hold a candle to Donnadieu. Even though you're already disappointed by the remake, don't let yourself down and see the original VANISHING, then decide for yourself.Read full review
This seemed much more like a murder mystery than a horror, which is what I bought it for. I think I remember reading a review or two that said this was often incorrectly called a horror movie, and it was right. I suspect most of those who call it horror confuse it with The Vanishing On 7th Street, but w/e... I would've given this 2 stars, except I think the REASON I didn't like it, was that it just isn't my kind of movie. As for "actual reasons..." If you only understand English, then you'd better be ok with reading subtitles the entire movie. They only speak French (and possibly some other neighboring language?) which kind of makes sense, given that France is the setting. Even so, I don't like reading subtitles for an entire movie, especially when there's no indication of it prior to watching. I couldn't detect any bad acting, though I often can't. Aaaand I thought the ending sucked. I don't know how to say why w/o giving it away. If I'd had any idea it would be like that, though, I never would've even considered watching it.Read full review
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Although you have to put up with subtitles (and some don't like to), this is much better than the American remake starring Jeff Bridges. In this movie, a man becomes obsessed with his lover's abduction, and proceeds to do everything he can to find out what happened to her. When her abductor offers to re-create the event for him, the man is in for much more than he bargained for. This is one scary movie, and it's much more of a psychological thriller than a gory-in-your face one. It has similarities to that of Alfred Hitchcock's movies, and is definitely worth watching. Of the two versions, this is the one to see.
one of altime greats
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Very good video. Worth the watch.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- Best Selling in DVDs & Blu-ray Discs
Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- Save on DVDs & Blu-ray Discs
Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- You may also like
![The Vanishing [The Criterion Collection]](https://ir.ebaystatic.com/rs/c/prpweb-src-images-space-98af7172.gif)