Originally released in the U.S. in 1991, this superb Dutch thriller from director George Sluizer hooks you within the first fifteen minutes, and never turns you loose. On vacation in France from Amsterdam, Rex (Gene Bervoets) and Saskia (Johanna Ter Stegge) stop for gas and Saskia vanishes. The film then flashes forward three years, and we learn that Rex has been doggedly pursuing any information about the disappearance of Saskia, while also receiving cryptic postcards from Raymond (Bernard-Pierre Donnadieu), one of the most fascinating sociopaths in recent cinema. A knockout puzzler, this superior homage to Hitchcock looks good on this otherwise extra-less disc. Highly recommended. (R. Pitman)[Blu-ray/DVD Review—Oct. 21, 2014—Criterion, 106 min., in French & Dutch w/English subtitles, not rated, DVD: $24.95, Blu-ray: $39.95—Making its latest appearance on DVD and first on Blu-ray, 1988's The Vanishing sports an excellent transfer and an uncompressed monaural soundtrack on the Blu-ray release. Extras include interviews with director George Sluizer (20 min.) and costar Johanna ter Steege (15 min.), a trailer, and an essay by critic Scott Foundas. Bottom line: a fine thriller makes a welcome debut on Blu-ray.]
The Vanishing
Criterion, 106 min., in Dutch and French w/English subtitles, not rated, DVD: $29.95 January 28, 2002
The Vanishing
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