MissingPosterIntroduction

“Missing” is political drama film directed by the Greek/French director Costa-Gavras (born as Konstantin Gavras), and with original music composed by Vangelis. The film is based on the true story of the disappearance of the American journalist Charles Horman at time of the military coup in Chile in 1973, as described in the book “The Execution of Charles Horman: An American Sacrifice” by Thomas Hauser. In May 1982 the film screened at the film festival of Cannes, winning the Palme d’Or that year, while in 1983 Missing won an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay.

Considering the film premiered in cinemas on the 12th of February 1982 Vangelis must have composed his music late in 1981 or early 1982, around the same time he was also working on the score of “Blade Runner”. Unfortunately the music for Missing was never officially released on a soundtrack album, only its main theme (as heard in the film during the end credits) was included on the compilation albums “Themes” (1989) and “The Collection” (2012) in a slightly re-arranged version.The main theme from Missing has frequently been covered by other artists, such as Nana Mouskouri, Elaine Paige and The Shadows.

Vangelis' complete score consists of some 35 minutes of music, as became clear in 2001 when a (mono) recording leaked, evidently sourced from studio tapes. For some reason one cue from "¿No Oyes Ladrar Los Perros?" (1975) ended up in Missing, perhaps it was used as a temp-score in the film? Either way, some 20 minutes of Vangelis' original score ended up in the film, leaving out a couple of interesting cue such as 'Rooftop Dinner' and 'Hotel Room', the latter featuring Dick Morrissey on saxophone. 

For a long time since its release the film was only available on sub-standard analog media, but since the 2000s DVD’s and Blu-ray’s have become available. If in need of a copy the UK blu-ray from Powerhouse Films is recommended for its HD remaster and extensive bonus material.

 

MissingCreditDetails and credits

  • Title: Missing
  • Year: 1982
  • Country: US/Mexico.
  • Length: 122 minutes
  • Released: 12th of February 1982
  • Directed by Costa-Gavras.
  • Screenplay by Costa-Gavras and Donald Stewart.
  • Music by Vangelis.
  • Cinematography: Ricardo Aranovich
  • Edited by Françoise Bonnot.
  • Executive producers: Peter Guber and Jon Peters.
  • Associative Producer: Terry Nelson
  • Produced by Edward and Mildred Lewis.

MissingStill03Cast

  • Jack Lemmon – Ed Horman
  • Sissy Spacek – Beth Horman
  • John Shea – Charles Horman
  • Melanie Mayron – Terry Simon
  • Charles Cioffi – Captain Ray Tower
  • David Clennon – Consul Phil Putnam
  • Richard Venture – U.S. Ambassador
  • Jerry Hardin – Colonel Sean Patrick
  • Richard Bradford – Andrew Babcock
  • Joe Regulbato – Frank Teruggi
  • Janice Rule – Kate Newman

 MissingBDFront

Media

Blu-ray

DVD

Earlier the film has also been published on VHS and Laser Disc video formats.

 

 

MissingDVDUSAFrontSynopsis

The story of “Missing” begins with Ed Horman, a conservative American businessman, traveling to Chile to investigate the sudden disappearance of his son, Charles “Charlie” Horman. Charlie, a freelance journalist and filmmaker, had been living in Chile with his wife, Beth. Ed, who initially dismisses Charlie’s political activism as naive idealism, is forced to confront the brutal realities of the coup as he searches for his son.

Ed arrives in Chile shortly after the military junta, led by General Augusto Pinochet, has overthrown the democratically elected government of Salvador Allende. The country is under martial law, and the streets are patrolled by soldiers. Ed is met by Beth, who is frantic with worry. Together, they begin to piece together Charlie’s last known movements and contacts.

Their investigation leads them to the U.S. Embassy, where they encounter a wall of bureaucratic indifference and evasion. Ed, who had previously trusted his government implicitly, becomes increasingly disillusioned as he realizes that U.S. officials are more concerned with protecting their political interests than with helping an American citizen in distress. The embassy staff, including the consul, dismiss Charlie’s disappearance as the work of “leftist extremists” and suggest that Charlie may have been involved in subversive activities.

As Ed and Beth dig deeper, they uncover evidence that Charlie was targeted because he knew too much about U.S. involvement in the coup. Charlie had been investigating the role of American military advisors and the CIA in destabilizing Allende’s government. His notes and film footage, which could expose the truth, have gone missing. The couple’s search takes them to a stadium used as a detention and torture center, where they learn that Charlie was likely arrested by Chilean security forces with the tacit approval of U.S. officials.

The film’s tension builds as Ed and Beth navigate a labyrinth of lies, intimidation, and violence. Ed’s transformation is central to the story: from a man who believes in the righteousness of his country’s actions to one who is forced to confront its moral failings. The climax reveals that Charlie was executed by Chilean soldiers, and that his death was covered up by both the Chilean and U.S. governments.

Missing is a harrowing exploration of political corruption, the cost of idealism, and the personal toll of state-sponsored violence. The film’s power lies in its unflinching portrayal of the human consequences of political machinations, and in the performances of Lemmon and Spacek, who convey the anguish and determination of ordinary people caught in extraordinary circumstances. The film ends on a note of quiet devastation, as Ed and Beth return to the U.S. with Charlie’s body, forever changed by their ordeal.

 

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