Missing Information

Missing is a 1982 American drama film directed by Costa Gavras, and starring Jack Lemmon, Sissy Spacek, Melanie Mayron, John Shea and Charles Cioffi. It is based on the true story of American journalist Charles Horman, who disappeared in the bloody aftermath of the US-backed Chilean coup of 1973 that deposed the democratically elected socialist President Salvador Allende.

The film was banned in Chile during Pinochet's dictatorship, even though neither Chile nor Pinochet are ever mentioned by name (although the Chilean cities of Viña del Mar and Santiago are).

Plot

The film opens with Costa-Gavras' statement that the events of the film are true. Set largely during the days and weeks following Horman's disappearance, the movie depicts his father and wife searching to determine his fate. It is based on a book that was first published under the title The Execution of Charles Horman: An American Sacrifice (1978) by Thomas Hauser (later republished under the title Missing in 1982).

Production

The score is by the Greek electronic composer Vangelis. The movie's piano theme has been used extensively in commercials, but an official release of the film's soundtrack has not yet occurred. The main theme appeared first on Vangelis' 1989 album Themes. A bootleg release of the soundtrack exists. A sung version with lyrics by Tim Rice has been recorded by Elaine Paige.

The film was released on both VHS and Laserdisc, in 1982 and 1987, by MCA Videocassette, MCA Videodisc, and MCA Home Video respectively. Unfortunately, the VHS version was pulled from the market due to the lawsuit filed against director Costa-Gavras. Universal Home Video re-released Missing on DVD in 2006, following the dismissal of the lawsuit. A special edition DVD was released by The Criterion Collection in October 2008.

Reception

Missing won the Academy Award for Writing Adapted Screenplay and was nominated for Best Actor in a Leading Role (Jack Lemmon), Best Actress in a Leading Role (Sissy Spacek) and Best Picture. It also won the Palme d'Or (Golden Palm) at the 1982 Cannes Film Festival, where Lemmon was awarded Best Actor for his performance.

Both the film and Thomas Hauser's book The Execution of Charles Horman were removed from the United States market following a lawsuit filed against Costa-Gavras and Universal Pictures's (then) parent company MCA by former ambassador Nathaniel Davis and two others for defamation of character. A lawsuit against Hauser himself was dismissed because the statute of limitations had expired. Davis and his associates lost their lawsuit, after which the film was re-released by Universal in 2006.

Cast

Actor	Role
Jack Lemmon	Ed Horman
Sissy Spacek	Beth Horman
Melanie Mayron	Terry Simon
John Shea	Charles 'Charlie' Horman
Charles Cioffi	Capt. Ray Tower, USN
David Clennon	Consul Phil Putnam
Richard Venture	U.S. Ambassador
Jerry Hardin	Colonel Sean Patrick
Richard Bradford	Andrew Babcock
Joe Regalbuto	Frank Teruggi
Keith Szarabajka	David Holloway
John Doolittle	David McGeary
Janice Rule	Kate Newman
Ward Costello	Congressman
Hansford Rowe	Senator
Tina Romero	Maria
Richard Whiting	Statesman

See also

• Forced disappearance