Spoorloos / The Vanishing (1988)

Director: George Sluizer
Writers: Tim Krabbé (novel), Tim Krabbé (screenplay)
Stars: Bernard-Pierre Donnadieu, Gene Bervoets, Johanna ter Steege

Rex and Saskia are on holiday, a young couple in love. They stop at a busy service station and Saskia disappears. Rex dedicates the next three years trying to find her. Then he receives some postcards from her abductor, who promises to reveal what has happened to Saskia. The abductor, Raymond Lemorne, is a chilling character to whom Rex is drawn by his intense desire to learn the truth behind his lovers disappearance. The truth is more sinister than he dared imagine.




Extras:
- George Sluizer
in this new video interview, director George Sluizer recalls how he acquired the rights to Tim Krabbe's novel and the script that emerged from it (apparently there were some major disagreements between the director and the writer), his initial encounter with Johanna ter Steege (Saskia), his interactions with actors Gene Bervoets and Bernard-Pierre Donnadieu (director Sluizer wanted Jean-Louis Trintignant to play the main protagonist, but he was not available), and discusses the shooting process and some of the unique themes in the film. The interview was conducted exclusively for Criterion in the director's home in France in May 2014. In English, not subtitled.
- Johanna ter Steege
in this new video interview, actress Johanna ter Steege recalls how she was approached to play Saskia, and discusses her contribution to The Vanishing and its success. The film won Best Supporting Actress Award at the European Film Awards and Golden Calf Award for Best Film at the Nederlands Film Festival in 1988. The interview was conducted exclusively for Criterion in Amsterdam in June 2014. In English, not subtitled.
- Trailer
Original trailer for The Vanishing. In French, with optional English subtitles.