NOTE: The below Blu-ray captures were taken directly from the Blu-ray disc.

Indicator have given us a new HD remaster of Costa-Gavras' "Missing". The film is housed on a dual-layered Blu-ray with a maxed out bitrate. The detail of the image is strong, though the film certainly was intended to have a soft palette/contrast as Gary previously mentioned in his review of the Criterion DVD. There is a fair amount of grain here, giving the film a nice texture. This is definitely a visual improvement over the Criterion DVD.

Indicator transfer "Missing" in its original 1.0 mono. The track is 24-bit linear PCM. Dialogue is clearly audible and the opening music from Vangelis (Francesco, Alexander, Blade Runner, Chariots of Fire ) really comes through strong. There are optional English subtitles, and there are a few moments of burned-in subtitles for non-English dialogue. This Blu-ray is Region-B locked.

Indicator have loaded this disc with extras. First off is a Guardian interview with Costa-Gavras; a 1 hour, and 25 minute archival audio recording of an interview conducted by Derek Malcolm at London’s National Film Theatre. The interview plays over the film like a commentary. This is also true of an almost 2-hr Guardian interview with Jack Lemmon; an archival audio recording of an interview conducted by Jonathan Miller at the National Film Theatre. This also plays over the feature, yet the audio quality dips pretty heavily in the second half, with moments being unintelligible. Next up is a 3-minute interview with Costa-Gavras from the Cannes film festival. This is followed by a 4-minute interview with the director by the Journal Antenne 2 television programme. "Many Americas" is a wonderful 31-minute interview with Costa-Gavras talking about the production and reception of the film. "Freedom of Information" is probably the stand-out extra here, a 27-minute interview with Joyce Horman discussing the real-life events behind Missing and the experience of being portrayed on screen. "Politically Personal" is a brand new 24-min appreciation by filmmaker and actor Keith Gordon. The film's trailer is also included, as is an image gallery of promotional and publicity material. The limited edition has an exclusive 40-page booklet with a new essay by Michael Pattison, an interview with Costa-Gavras, an interview with journalist Thomas Hauser, an overview of responses to the film, and extensive film credits. This release is limited to 3000 copies.

Indicator have given us another strong Blu-ray package with superiority over the previously available Criterion DVD. The extras are very fantastic for cinema fans and worth the indulgence. The film deserves the HD treatment and this package is absolutely recommended!

Gary Tooze

***

ON THE DVD: 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! 

Gary W. Tooze