Costa-Gavras Missing Criterion Collection DVD

This feature film, Missing, directed by political film maker Costa-Gavras was first released in 1982. Recently (October 2008), Criterion released the 2 Disc set Criterion Edition DVD (feature film total running time 122 minutes) of Costa-Gavras Missing. In this compelling and controversial drama (the feature film ends with a disclaimer from the State Department and also banned in Chile during Augusto Pinochet's regime) based on a book first published as The Execution of Charles Horman: An American Sacrifice (republished in 1982 as Missing). This feature film won the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay, nominated for Best Picture, Best Actor (jack Lemmon), Best Actress (Sissy Spacek). Other accolades include winner of 1982 Cannes Film Festival Palme D'Or and Best Actor for Jack Lemmon.

The story centres on the mysterious disappearance of American journalist Charles Horman during the 1973 coup in Chile. Both Jack Lemmon and Sissy Spacek gave powerhouse performances in this emotionally-charged film as the leading roles of Charles Horman parents. As the story unfolds, the parents of Charles Horman are constantly frustrated by bureaucratic dead-ends led by U.S embassy officials. Eventually, uncovering the terrifying truth of Charles Horman's fate. This Criterion Edition DVD of Costa-Gavras Missing is presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1 therefore the black bars appearance at the top and bottom of the screen is normal.

Director Costa-Gavras supervised and approved this new high-definition digital transfer that was created on a Spirit Datacine from a 35 mm original fine-grain master positive, and color correction with Specter Virtual Datacine. MTI Digital Restoration System was utilized to remove scratches, dirt and debris. The soundtrack of this Criterion Edition of Costa-Gavras Missing was mastered at 24-bit from a 35 mm optical track print, and to reduce hiss, clicks, pops and crackle audio restoration tools were used. Wish the Dolby Digital Mono 1.0 audio signal directed to the centre channel on surround sound system, hence, for a wider sound stage you will need to switch it to two-channel on your surround sound system.


Special features on this Costa-Gavras Missing Criterion Edition DVD are:

• High definition digital transfer restoration


• Video interviews with director Costa-Gavras, Joyce Horman (Charles Horman's wife), producers Edward and Mildred Lewis and Sean Daniel, and Thomas Hauser (author of the book, The Execution of Charles Horman: An American Sacrifice)


• Video interviews from 1982 Cannes Film Festival with director Costa-Gavras, lead actor Jack Lemmon, Ed Horman (Charles Horman's father), and Joyce Horman (Charles Horman's wife)


• Video interviews with Peter Kornbluh (author of the book, The Pinochet File) examining declassified documents pertaining the 1973 military coup in Chile and Charles Horman's case


• Highlights from 2002 Charles Horman Truth Project event paying tribute to the movie Missing, with actors such as Sissy Spacek, John Shea, and Melanie Mayron and others


• A booklet featuring a new essay by critic Michael Wood, an open letter from Terry Simon (Horman family friend), an interview with director Costa-Gavras and the U.S. State Department’s official response to the movie, Missing


• Theatrical trailer

Costa-Gavras Missing feature film credits are:

• Director - Costa-Gavras


• Producers - Sean Daniels, Edward and Mildred Lewis


• Screenplay - Costa-Gavras, Donald Stewart, John Nichols


• Executive Producers - Peter Guber and Jon Peters


• Cinematographer - Ricardo Aronovich


• Production Designer - Peter Jamison


• Editor- Francoise Bonnot


• Costume Designer - Joe I Tompkins


• Casting - Wally Nicita


• Music Composition and Arrangement - Vangelis


• Special Visual Effects - Albert Whitlock

Costa-Gavras Missing feature film cast are:

• Ed Horman - Jack Lemmon


• Beth Horman - Sissy Spacek


• Terry Simon - Melanie Mayron


• Charles Horman - John Shea


• Ray Tower - Charles Cioffi


• Phil Putnam - David Clennon


• U.S Ambassador - Richard Venture


• Colonel Sean Patrick - Jerry Hardin


• Andrew Babcock - Richard Bradford


• Frank Teruggi - Joe Regalbuto


• David Holloway - Keith Szarabajka


• Dave McGeary - John Doolittle


• Kate Newman - Janice Rule