Missing Jack Lemmon Sissy Spacek

Directed by Costa-Gavras
USA 1982

Missing is political filmmaker extraordinaire Costa-Gavras's compelling, controversial dramatization of the search for American filmmaker and journalist Charles Horman, who mysteriously disappeared during the 1973 coup in Chile. Jack Lemmon and Sissy Spacek give magnetic, emotionally commanding performances as Charles's father and wife, who are led by U.S. embassy and consulate officials through a series of bureaucratic dead-ends before eventually uncovering the terrifying facts about Charles’s fate and disillusioning truths about their government. Written and directed with clarity and conscience, the Academy Award–winning Missing is a testament to Costa-Gavras's daring.

Posters

Theatrical Release: February 12, 1982

Reviews More Reviews DVD Reviews

DVD Review: Criterion (2-disc) - Region 1 - NTSC

DVD Box Cover		CLICK to order from:
Distribution	Criterion Collection - Spine # 449 - Region 1 - NTSC
Runtime	2:02:32
Video	1.78:1 Aspect Ratio Average Bitrate: 8.9 mb/s NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s
	NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes.
Bitrate:
Audio	English and some Spanish (Dolby Digital 1.0)
Subtitles	English, English (SDH), None
Features	Release Information: Studio: Criterion Aspect Ratio: Original Aspect Ratio 1.78:1 Edition Details: • Video interviews with Costa-Gavras (2) - 32:29, Joyce Horman (wife of Charles Horman) - 30:19, producers Edward and Mildred Lewis and Sean Daniel, and Thomas Hauser, author of The Execution of Charles Horman, the film’s source - 17:27 • Video interviews from the 1982 Cannes Film Festival with Costa-Gavras, Jack Lemmon, Ed Horman (father of Charles), and Joyce Horman - 19:22 • Video interview with Peter Kornbluh, author of The Pinochet File, examining declassified documents concerning the 1973 military coup in Chile and the case of Charles Horman - entitled 'Pursuing Truth' 19;28 • Highlights from the 2002 Charles Horman Truth Project event honoring Missing, with actors Sissy Spacek, John Shea, and Melanie Mayron, among others (20:50) • Theatrical trailer • 36-page liner notes booklet featuring a new essay by critic Michael Wood, an open letter from Horman family friend Terry Simon, an interview with Costa-Gavras, and the U.S. State Department’s official response to Missing DVD Release Date: October 21st, 2008 Keep Case Chapters: 25

Comments:

Sorry, I don't own the 2004 Universal Region 1 edition of Missing (see HERE) to compare but suspect that DVD can't hold a candle to this Criterion 2-disc package - especially for completeness. The image looks good - soft palette - soft contrast. There is a bit of noise in black backgrounds but generally the image quality is very consistent. The transfer is anamorphic in the 1.78 aspect ratio, progressive and situated on a dual-layered disc.

Mono track (English and some Spanish) is expectantly flat but very clear and dialogue is audible. It appears as though Criterion have, as usual, included a subtitle option - English (for the deaf and hearing impaired).

Criterion have put some fabulous supplements on a 2nd dual-layered SD disc. We have two video interviews with Costa-Gavras. The first is from Feb, 1982 from the TV show JA2 20H, hosted by Christine Ockrent, shot shortly after the US Premiere. The second was recorded in 2006 for the French DVD of Missing. The interviews run consecutively for 32:29. Joyce Horman (wife of Charles Horman) - recorded in her home in 2008 runs 1/2 hour. Producing Missing runs almost 20 minutes and has producers Edward and Mildred Lewis and Sean Daniel, and Thomas Hauser, author of The Execution of Charles Horman, the film’s source. They discuss the making of Costa-Gavras controversial film. Missing received two awards at the Cannes Film Festival - the Palm D'or and best actor for Jack Lemmon. Included are an excerpted television interview (20 minutes worth) presented by Yves Mourousi interviewing with Costa-Gavras, Jack Lemmon, Ed Horman (father of Charles), and Joyce Horman from May 19th, 1982. Entitled 'Pursuing Truth' we have a 20 minutes interview with Peter Kornbluh, author of The Pinochet File, examining declassified documents concerning the 1973 military coup in Chile and the case of Charles Horman. Lastly on the digital front and highlights from the 2002 Charles Horman Truth Project event honoring Missing, with actors Sissy Spacek, John Shea, and Melanie Mayron, among others. Running time 20 minutes. There is also a theatrical trailer on disc one and a 36-page liner notes booklet featuring a new essay by critic Michael Wood, an open letter from Horman family friend Terry Simon, an interview with Costa-Gavras, and the U.S. State Department’s official response to Missing.

What more can I say - highly important film - great package - Criterion have really done this one up right. No surprise that it is strongly recommended!