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Spoorloos
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Spoorloos (1988) More at IMDbPro »

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Overview

User Rating:
8.0/10   8,717 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 8% in popularity this week. See rank & trends on IMDbPro.
Director:
George Sluizer
Writers:
Tim Krabbé (novel)
Tim Krabbé (screenplay)
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Contact:
View company contact information for The Vanishing on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
27 October 1988 (Netherlands) more
Plot:
Rex and Saskia, a young couple in love, are on vacation. They stop at a busy service station and Saskia is abducted. After three years and no sign of Saskia, Rex begins receiving letters from the abductor. full summary | add synopsis
Awards:
6 wins & 2 nominations more
NewsDesk:
List: Remaking Your Own Foreign Language Film
 (From IFC. 10 September 2008, 8:54 AM, PDT)

User Comments:
How far would you go to find the truth? more

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)
Bernard-Pierre Donnadieu ... Raymond Lemorne
Gene Bervoets ... Rex Hofman

Johanna ter Steege ... Saskia Wagter
Gwen Eckhaus ... Lieneke
Bernadette Le Saché ... Simone Lemorne
Tania Latarjet ... Denise Lemorne
Lucille Glenn ... Gabrielle 'Gaby' Lemorne
Roger Souza ... Manager
Caroline Appéré ... Cashier
Pierre Forget ... Farmer Laurent
Didier Rousset ... TV Journalist
Raphaeline ... Gisele Marzin
Robert Lucibello ... Teacher
David Bayle ... Lemorne (16 Years)
Doumee ... Lady 'Prisunic' (as Doumée)
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Additional Details

Also Known As:
L'homme qui voulait savoir (France)
The Vanishing (International: English title)
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Runtime:
107 min
Language:
Dutch | French | English
Color:
Color
Aspect Ratio:
1.66 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono
Company:
Argos Films more

Fun Stuff

Goofs:
Continuity: When in the car with his daughter, Raymonde leans over and locks the passenger door, but seconds later the button is no longer pushed down. more
Quotes:
Raymond Lemorne: You see, Mr Hoffman. For me, dying is not the worse thing. more
Movie Connections:
Version of The Vanishing (1993) more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
59 out of 64 people found the following comment useful:-
How far would you go to find the truth?, 29 August 2004
9/10
Author: Golgo-13 from The IMDb Horror Board!

After reading several recommendations of Spoorloos (a.k.a. The Vanishing), I went ahead and bought the Criterion DVD release, which, by the way, has no extras. Let me say, I was not disappointed with the movie. If you like well-made, well-directed thrillers, it is definitely worth checking out. The story was simple enough; Rex's girlfriend mysteriously disappears at a gas station they stopped at while on vacation. Cut ahead three years and you still have him searching for her. Due to his persistence, the man responsible finally decides to get involved.

With very little violence and no gore, Spoorloos was able to leave the viewer in a truly depressing state. Some people might call it boring but I found the slow and steady pace to work in favor of the characters, as the acting was top notch. So was the direction of the scenes, which were set up quite nicely. It was interesting to see such attention paid to both the victim and criminal's point of view. You could really understand the desperation, confusion, and obsession that Rex felt with his loss. In turn, you see cold evil in a form that does exist in our world. While maybe not shocking to all viewers, the ending is terrifyingly tragic, made so by the realism and calmness throughout the film. Just ask yourself, how would you feel if that happened to you?

If pushed for a criticism, I would say that some of the symbolism seemed a bit too heavy handed but other then that, this is an intelligent, deep thriller. I have not seen the American remake (oddly enough, both versions are from director George Sluizer) but I can all but guarantee that the original is what you want to go with first. Many people suggest skipping the remake altogether!

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Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Spoorloos (1988)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Noooo.. for once I've found a remake is better! EvilCensor
Is this movie too scary to watch? amd8404
Why did Rex take off his shoes? cineastedude
Music. ali_film_geek
What are some other movies with unhappy endings? illurement
HIGHLY OVERRATED one84
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