george sluizer magnificent european thriller remain a intelligent and haunt today a ever . while travel across europe and a couple stop at a service station where the woman disappear without a trace . her boyfriend embark on a desperate three year search hop to learn who abduct her . in the meantime however we be introduce to the strange character of a gentle family man who turn out to be the sly madman responsible . the vanishing be one of the smart and most chilling thriller of modern cinema . it doesn not resort to violence and clichés and or conventional plot line but instead play out it intriguing mystery premise by establish it character and their personal struggle . from there it build a compelling plot of grow tension that escalate to a finale that be absolutely chilling and powerful . the conclusion be one of the most bold movie ending ever . sluizer direction be wonderfully stylish and use the lovely french location to their full effect . henny vrienten music score be nicely atmospheric and add a perfect touch to the film slick cinematography . the cast be another great highlight . gene bervoets do a dynamic performance a the man who struggle with his obsession to learn the fate of his miss girlfriend . johanna ter steege be captivate a the lose love of bervoets . however the show be truly steal by bernard pierre donnadieu . donnadieu be one of the most charismatic and fascinate villain character ever . he frighten and not for the typical reason and but because he play a weirdly heart felt character that seem as normal a anyone . a real feat indeed . the vanishing be a film that all horror or thriller fan should see . it an outstanding modern genre classic that isn not only tasteful and gripping and but strikingly smart too . george sluizer also direct an american remake in 1993 and to much less effect . out of .