Missing (1982)

96% of critics liked it
(27 reviews)
81% of users liked it
(4,863 ratings)

Costa-Gavras's tense political drama opens in an unspecified South American country (though clearly intended to be Chile) in the throes of a military coup. American activist Charles Horman (John Shea), who has been a thorn in the side of the country's military ever since his arrival, suddenly… More Costa-Gavras's tense political drama opens in an unspecified South American country (though clearly intended to be Chile) in the throes of a military coup. American activist Charles Horman (John Shea), who has been a thorn in the side of the country's military ever since his arrival, suddenly disappears. In trying to find out what has happened, his wife Beth (Sissy Spacek) is stonewalled, not only by the ruling junta but by the American consulate. His father, staunchly patriotic Ed Horman (Jack Lemmon), joins Beth in her search. Ed and his daughter-in-law have never seen eye to eye politically, and he refuses to entertain the notion that his son's disappearance might be part of a larger conspiracy or cover-up. But as the days grow into weeks, Ed comes to the shattering conclusion that he and his family have been betrayed by the American government, on behalf of the "friendly" South American dictator who holds his people in a grip of iron. Adapted by Costa-Gavras and Donald E. Stewart from a book by Thomas Hauser, Missing was inspired by the true story of the late Charles Horman. In spite of (or perhaps because of) condemnation from certain high-ranking officials in the Reagan administration, the film went on to win an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay, as well as nominations for Best Picture, Best Actor, and Best Actress. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG, 2 hr. 2 min.
Directed By: Costa-Gavras
Genres: Mystery & Suspense, Drama

In Theaters: Feb 12, 1982 Wide
On DVD: Nov 23, 2004
Studio: Universal Pictures

Critic Reviews

Richard Corliss, TIME Magazine
A story that could have made for a brisk jeremiad on 60 Minutes is stretched to 122 minutes of heroes fuming and villains purring their oleaginous apologies. Spacek and Lemmon, an appealing sweet-and-sour combo, sink in the swamp of good intentions.
Variety Staff, Variety
Lemmon is superior as a man facing up to issues he never wanted to confront personally.
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
This movie might have really been powerful, if it could have gotten out of its own way.
Vincent Canby, New York Times
Among other things Missing does is to convince you that, next time, you're not going to waste your vote. The passive citizen is the citizen-victim.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
A powerful, influential and tense political thriller based on a true story.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
Though Costa-Gavras clearly has a political axe to grind, he manages to do so without haranguing the viewer, keeping the film's focus on his characters and masterfully building tension as the story moves toward its stinging resolution.
Christopher Null, Filmcritic.com
engrossing, fascinating, and endlessly tragic.
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid
Lemmon and Spacek are the film's highlight... It's a winning formula, and it's too bad that there isn't more of it.
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
In Costa-Gavras's fact-inspired political melodrama, Jack Lemmon gives one of his strongest performances as a naive, conservative American who gets rude political awakening when his leftist son is executed with the tacit knowledge of the US government
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Time has not only been kind to the film, but has, -- unfortunately -- made it relevant all over again.
Derek Adams, Time Out
Spacek and Lemmon are fine as the missing man's wife and father, but what makes the film so overwhelming in places is its unending night-time imagery of a society coming apart at the seams.
Dan Lybarger, Nitrate Online
Terrific work from Lemmon and Spacek highlights Costa Gavras' American debut.
Nick Davis, Nick's Flick Picks
A gutsy, surprising piece of work, a bold political tract that doubles proficiently as an interpersonal drama.

Read all 13 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Matheus C

Incredible performances by Jack Lemon and Sissy Spacek under Gavras' strong direction make this not much remembered film worthwhile.
Anthony L

A heartbreaking, honest and emotional film, Lemmon and Spacek are exceptional!
Ross C

A thoughtful, sad docu-drama about the true story of an American father searching for his left-wing son who went missing during the Chilean coup d'état of '73. The pace and production is very late 70s / early 80s, but the story absorbs you into the journey the characters… More
A thoughtful, sad docu-drama about the true story of an American father searching for his left-wing son who went missing during the Chilean coup d'état of '73. The pace and production is very late 70s / early 80s, but the story absorbs you into the journey the characters undertake.
Leigh R

Sad.
Lafe F

Well-made and engaging. We had to watch this in High School and I enjoyed it.
jay n

masterful work by sissy spacek and jack lemmon and a compelling based on fact story make this a truly great film
Byron B

Jack Lemmon and Sissy Spacek are so natural. Have you ever watched the show Without A Trace? This is basically a feature length version of that show, but with no detectives. The family has to search for themselves. It also seems to have some similarities to the new movie coming… More
Jack Lemmon and Sissy Spacek are so natural. Have you ever watched the show Without A Trace? This is basically a feature length version of that show, but with no detectives. The family has to search for themselves. It also seems to have some similarities to the new movie coming out, In the Valley of Elah.
Dannielle A

Very enlightening but extremely depresssing.
Emily B

Damn, I really need to see some more Costa-Gavras because this was just great. It's a thought provoking political thriller based on the true story of Charles Horman who was arrested during the Pinochet led coup, and how his wife and father must search for him. A moving film… More
Damn, I really need to see some more Costa-Gavras because this was just great. It's a thought provoking political thriller based on the true story of Charles Horman who was arrested during the Pinochet led coup, and how his wife and father must search for him. A moving film with a great partnership of Spacek and Lemmon.

Read all 9 featured audience ratings

Cast

            Jack Lemmon as Ed Horman

            Sissy Spacek as Beth Horman

            Melanie Mayron as Terry Simon

            John Shea as Charles Horman

            Charles Cioffi as Capt. Ray Tower

            David Clennon as Consul Phil Putnam

            Richard Venture as U.S. Ambassador

            Jerry Hardin as Col. Sean Patrick

            Richard Bradford as Carter Babcock

            Joe Regalbuto as Frank Teruggi

            Keith Szarabajka as David Holloway

            John Doolittle as David McGeary

            Janice Rule as Kate Newman

            Ward Costello as Congressman

            Hansford Rowe as Senator

            Tina Romero as Maria

            Jacqueline Evans as Woman (Ford Foundation)

            John Fenton as Carlos

            Jaime Garza as Young Man at Stadium

            Robert Hitt as Peter Chernin

            Martin LaSalle as Paris

            Jorge Russek as Espinoza

            Gerardo Vigil as Sexy Soldier

            Terry Nelson as Col. Clay

            Wallis Nicita
            
            Linda Spheeris as Woman (State Department)

            Joe Tompkins as Marine Officer

            Richard Whiting as Statesman

            Felix Gonzalez as Rojas
See full cast

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