Rating: 
Summary: scary stuff
Review: Good suspense with a twist at the end....recommemded for criterion collectors...
Rating: 
Summary: Gaahd!
Review: Having read Krabbe's The Golden Egg, watched this version and the American version of the films, I have to say I liked this one the best. But that's honestly picking which one I dislike the least. The story is compelling, but the way it's presented leaves much to be desired. This version stays very close to the book, but there are moments when I felt as though something was very wrong. For example, when the kidnapping is being practiced by the Lemorne, there is this bizarre, sprightly music playing. What's up with that? The acting in this version is so-so, with Rex being the character done the least amount of justice by his portrayer. Well, actually, he isn't a very rounded character in the book, so maybe he's portrayed the best. If you've read the book, you'll find this to be more satisfying than the American version. Hell, even if you haven't read the book, you'll be more satisfied with this one.
Rating:
Summary: Watch at your own Risk
Review: Here is the deceptively simple, yet mind-blowingly warped story of what happens when the lives of an average European couple cross the path of a seemingly average family man -- a guy whose mind blew a fuse at the age of six and began to bleed the thoughts of a sociopath. This film's ending is so dour, depressing, and hopeless that it made me want to vomit. But "The Vanishing"'s *most* disturbing aspect is that it actually carries the audience into the sociopath's mind, and invites each viewer to share the mad logic behind the heinous acts he commits -- a logic based upon principles universal and fundamental. I've read many reviews which state, "This is the scariest film I've ever seen." I think it's more accurately described as "disturbing" instead of "scary".. a subtle, yet important distinction... Whereas a film like "The Changeling" (arguably one of the scariest movies ever made, about a haunted house) or "The Exorcist" has the ability to frighten for a couple of hours, here is a little wonder (MINUS any blood or gore) that could genuinely warp a viewer's mind if he or she took it too seriously. I rated this film 4 stars instead of 5... not because it's poorly made or acted (on the contrary, the production and the performances are wonderful), but simply because it is difficult to fully enjoy a film that is this upsetting... When all is said and done, the grimness makes the viewing experience undesirable. In sum, I'll echo another viewer's sentiment: I wish I'd never seen this. Watch at your own risk.
Rating: 
Summary: Fantastic
Review: I am a huge film buff, and there are very few movies that really leave an impression on me, but this is one of them. the film is primarily a mystery/psychological horror which takes us into the mind of a sociopath. The villain is not some hideous monster like Fredy Krueger, but a family man, who, all other things considered, seems to be normal. The film is shot very simply -- no fancy effects, no gore, no elaborate chase scenes.. in fact it looks like the whole thing could be done with a video camera -- but it is the scariest film I have ever seen, and should be a wake-up call to horror film directors that the addition of special effects do not do anything to the substance of a movie. Highly reccomended **Incidentally please dont watch the U.S. version of the film -- It is garbage, and an insult to the viewer's intelligence
Rating:
Summary: Excellent movie; the better version
Review: I found this movie to be excellent. I also believe it is much better than the American re-make of it: the American re-make had a different ending, to make it more "palatable".
Rating: 
Summary: Scary? Not! Chilling? Not! Interesting? Maybe
Review: I have to agree with the reviewer who was totally shocked at the descriptions of this film by other reviewers. After reading reviews that described the film as SHOCKING! CHILLING! NIGHTMARISH! I decided to finally purchase this dvd after hesitating for a few months. I'm sorry - but I was highly disappointed. I consider myself a horror fan of sorts and I'm not normally into the blood and gore type of films, prefering "psychological thrillers" instead. This film was neither. Do yourself a favor before purchasing this movie and RENT IT FIRST!!!
Rating:
Summary: Scary? Not! Chilling? Not! Interesting? Maybe
Review: I have to agree with the reviewer who was totally shocked at the descriptions of this film by other reviewers. After reading reviews that described the film as SHOCKING! CHILLING! NIGHTMARISH! I decided to finally purchase this dvd after hesitating for a few months. I'm sorry - but I was highly disappointed. I consider myself a horror fan of sorts and I'm not normally into the blood and gore type of films, prefering "psychological thrillers" instead. This film was neither. Do yourself a favor before purchasing this movie and RENT IT FIRST!!!
Rating: 
Summary: Very Good Psychological Thriller
Review: I just finished watching it. It is now nearly 2am and I cannot stop thinking about the movie. The script writer, director and photographer did a great job with this film. Many nice details were carefully attended to. The pacing of the film, though methodic, is even. Overall I think I enjoyed it, but it did hit the psyche rather hard. (I realize my scoring criteria may seem weird, but in all seriousness, I only give a film five stars if it is absolutely in a class by itself, and cannot be diminished in any way. I think most people tend to give five stars merely because they liked it, not because they have any rigid scale they subscribe to. I'd like to give it three-and-a-half, but I can only give whole numbers.)
Rating:
Summary: An Ending You Won't Forget
Review: I rented this film on a recommendation from a radio talk show host of all people. Although I knew the ending it still sent chills up my spine. For anyone who is a suspense/thriller fan, you must rent/buy this film.
Rating:
Summary: Depravity is not another word for "genius"
Review: I watched this movie after hearing that the ending was one of the most chilling and provocative ever in the history of cinema. Well, all I have to say is that this was the worst piece of horse manure I have ever seen. I fell asleep halfway through and should have stayed that way. I cannot believe that someone stooped low enough to not only write this ending, but the way it was filmed was one of the most depraved, sick, unnecessary wastes of celluloid of all time. There were a million better ways to have gotten the gist of what this psychopath did to that woman. It was not necessary to show what they showed. Oh I know, a lot of you out there are saying....this idiot just didn't get it, they just don't appreciate genius. Believe me. I've seen genius and this is not even close. It's a cop out. It caters to the lowest common denominator and shows a complete lack of imagination. It was so bad, that all I can say is that this is one messed up ending. It won't keep me up at night. It didn't creep me out. It didn't scare me...It just made me sad that this kind of crap is what some consider to be brilliant cinema. It's not chilling, it's not provocative, it's not even interesting. It's just plain f'd up.
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