La disparition

It is also a typical seventies thriller, very downbeat, slow, strange, where Donald Sutherland shines, as usual. And, as strange as it seems to be, in this offbeat thriller, I thought of KLUTE character, though not the same story and atmosphere either. But.... The mainly flaw is the pace, and romantic element, which is somewhat annoying in such a plot. But some supporting characters such as David Hemmings, Christopher Plummer, John Hurt, David Warner, enhance this interesting overall movie. Yes, I recommend this Canadian thriller, very in the mood of the seventies. But it will remain underrated. Excellent ending.

This film, done as a joint effort from the stellar cast and crew (script, cinematography, costumes, set design), is one of the best mystery, thriller-dramas, of the seventies. Ranking right along Arthur Penn's "Night Moves", "The Disappearance", in it's 91 minute, or better yet 101 minute director's cut, version is stylish neo-noir that glides perfectly through the story of alienation and betrayal, love and loss, mistaken emotions and gloomy memories, spanning between almost futuristic backdrop of Montreal, and rustic mansions and countrysides of Suffolk. Director's cut adds only a few nice linchpins to the story, explaining minor details, that are somewhat important to the plot, and without which, few things are left to our imagination.

Never really seen in it's real glory, as intended by the director Stuart Cooper, until the 2013 blu-ray release, that comprises both director's cut and 91 minute "third version" of the film,released in the UK, assembled by unknown author, as close to original as possible, retaining the feel, flashbacks essential to the film's structure and original score, director's cut and a "hatchet job" US version, "The Disappearance" is the best example of how a really good film can be mutilated beyond recognition, by an inept studio hacks. Making a linear plot out of non-linear story which is essential to the depth of the plot, is a true crime, and the rating that this movie holds on IMDb is the rating of the so called "US theatrical cut" which made this gem bomb at the box office after a single showing, and jettisoned into obscurity for over 30 years. The example of this, is also contained on the blue-ray in a horrid 15 minute long excerpt from the re-edited and re-scored U.S. release version of the film.

Now available as envisioned, (plus a non Hollywood ending) "The Disappearance" deserves it's place among the "must see" films. More than recommended, a true classic.

This film does a fine job of putting the viewer into the position of the main protagonist, Jay Mallory. It isn't until the climax of the film when Mallory and Christopher Plummer's character, Deverell, meet that the viewer can understand the disjointed, roller-coaster ride that Mallory has been on.

The haunting piano music beautifully reflects the tension of the film. The support cast is made up of outstanding English and European actors who give the feel of the film the pace so often brought to the screen of excellent non-US films.

Cold blooded hitman Jay Mallory (Donald Sutherland) experiences uncharted emotions when his wife (Francine Racette, Sutherland's partner and future wife) suddenly disappears. It makes him nervous about his next job (which the hitmen call "the shy"), a high profile hit in England, but he ultimately accepts the risks. Based on the novel "Echoes of Celandine" by Derek Marlowe, this is a tiny and engaging thriller put together by David Hemmings (he also has a small role). According to the L. A. Times, Hemmings raised around $2 million to make it (Sutherland also invested his own $200,000). The team must have called in a lot of favors as also onscreen in small roles are David Warner, John Hurt, Virginia McKenna, and Christopher Plummer. Director Stuart Cooper handles it all well and makes the film extremely "cold" on screen. By that I mean you can almost feel the chilliness in the Canadian and England locations. Mallory's home is also a cool site/sight as they shot at Habitat 67, a futuristic looking apartment block built for the World's Fair in 1967. All of this is captured beautifully by cinematographer John Alcott, who had just done Barry Lyndon(1975) and would soon do The Shining (1980) for Kubrick. In the end, it had a rough go in terms of release. World Northal picked it up for the U. S. and eventually put it out in 1981. By that time, Sutherland had already made 10 more films.

I had never heard of the "The Disapperance", but then again there are very few movies from the late 70s that come to my mind at all. But I do like Donald Sutherland and I try to see much of his contributions to film.

This movie almost made me give up. I found the beginning confusing, the setting boring, and the flashbacks frustrating. However for Donald's sake I struggled through. The feelings I experienced may well have been the intended design.

As the story progresses, it does become more interesting. The plot has some nice changes and I found myself more encouraged to concentrate on the developments, and eventually was actually enjoying the movie.

I don't know if I would watch this a second time, but I am glad I survived it the first time. The ending didn't surprise me, but if you are a fan of Donald's as well, you should try "The Disappearance" and see how you feel at the end of it.