Without a Trace (1983) (1983)

69% of users liked it
(1,336 ratings)

Young divorced mother Kate Nelligan refuses to go into a panic when her six-year-old son disappears. She manages to maintain an even emotional keel even when detective Judd Hirsch unearths several clues which point to sexual molestation. After several false leads, the truth is revealed. We won't… More Young divorced mother Kate Nelligan refuses to go into a panic when her six-year-old son disappears. She manages to maintain an even emotional keel even when detective Judd Hirsch unearths several clues which point to sexual molestation. After several false leads, the truth is revealed. We won't divulge the ending, but we will note that we found it pretty hard to swallow-especially when compared to the actual case upon which Beth Gutcheson's novel and screenplay were based. Despite its cop-out denouement, Without a Trace deserves to take its place among such superior missing-children dramas as the made-for-TV Adam and Just Another Missing Kid. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG, 2 hr.
Directed By: Stanley R. Jaffe
Genres: Drama

In Theaters: Feb 4, 1983 Wide
On DVD: Mar 22, 2005
Studio: Anchor Bay Entertainment

Critic Reviews

David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews
...as the story progresses, the film becomes increasingly routine...
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
Kate Nelligan's performance is as sharp and focused as a laser beam.
Nell Minow, Movie Mom at Yahoo! Movies
Exceptionally strong performances take this above the level of the script.

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Featured Audience Ratings

Leo L

Intriguing.

Cast

            Kate Nelligan as Susan Selky

            Judd Hirsch as Al Menetti

            David Dukes as Graham Selky

            Stockard Channing as Jocelyn Norris

            Jacqueline Brookes as Margaret Mayo

            Keith McDermott as Phillipe

            Kathleen Widdoes as Ms. Hauser

            Daniel Bryan Corkill as Alex Selky

            Cheryl Giannini as Pat Menetti

            David Simon as Eugene Menetti

            William Duell as Polygraph Operator

            Joan McMonagle as Vivienne Grant

            Louise Stubbs as Malvina Robbins

            Caroline Aaron as Makeup Woman

            Don Amendolia as Police

            Ellen Barber as Martina

            Elaine Bromka as Production Assistant

            L. Scott Caldwell as Janet Smith

            Deborah Carlson as Naomi Blum

            Jane Cecil as Mrs. Applegate

            Frederick Coffin as Officer Coffin

            Paul Collins as Reporter

            Sam Coppola as Schoyer

            Tony Devon as Police

            Tom Dunn as WOR-TV News Announcer

            Richmond Hoxie as Parent

            Sara Lee Kessler as WOR-TV News Announcer

            Thomas Kopache as Police

            Dan Lauria as Baker

            Marcella Lowery as Sgt. Rocco

            William H. Macy as Reporter

            Stephen Mendillo
            
            Terry O'Quinn
            
            Angela Pietropinto as Parent

            Lee Sandman as Coffee Shop Owner

            Bob Scarantino as Police

            Martin Shakar as Police

            Bill Smitrovich as Police

            James Storm as Reporter

            Alan Weeks as Reporter

            Hattie Winston as Reporter

            Gracie Harrison as Reporter

            Lou Leccese as Police

            Roxanne Gregory as Reporter

            Sheila Coonan as Anna

            Edmond Genest
            
            Lynn Cohen as Woman with Dog

            Charles Brown as Sachs

            Kenneth Cory
            
            Joseph M. Costa as Parent

            Luke Sickle as Hank

            Theodore Sorel as Dr. Mandlebaum

            Freda Foh Shen as Reporter
See full cast