The Vanishing

For years, Scotsmen have pondered the Flannan Isles Mystery, which revolves around three lighthouse keepers who disappeared from the Outer Hebrides (inspiring the famous poem Flannan Isle by Wilfrid Wilson Gibson). Set in 1938, this speculative psychological thriller begins on the ferry to the tiny, remote island on Scotland’s rugged west coast. Taciturn widower Thomas Marshall (Peter Mullan) has been a lighthouse keeper for many years, along with James Ducat (Gerard Butler), who bids farewell to his wife and children on the mainland. The third member is Donald McArthur (Connor Swindells), an inexperienced trainee who gets violently seasick. Arriving for their six-week shift, they make necessary repairs to the lighthouse. “Many a keeper’s lost their mind to quicksilver,” James warns Donald, scooping up spilled mercury used to lubricate the lighthouse machinery. Soon after, Donald discovers what appears to be the body of a man whose rowboat is beached in a deep crevasse. As Donald is lowered on a rope, the man suddenly comes to life and attacks him, ostensibly protecting a wooden chest. In self-defense, Donald kills him. After discovering that the chest contains solid gold bars, the men marvel at their newfound riches and debate what to do next. Before long, however, two men show up looking for their “missing crewmate,” and Thomas’s hastily contrived story fails to convince them. Danish director Kristoffer Nyholm evokes an ominous atmosphere of windswept desolation. Unfortunately, the actors’ heavy Scottish brogue is often difficult to decipher, and the film disappoints somewhat with an enigmatic conclusion. A strong optional purchase. (S. Granger)