Without a Trace (1983)

This is every parent's nightmare: Your kid goes off to school one morning--and never comes back. Based on the case of young New Yorker Etan Patz, who disappeared in the early 1980s, this film casts Kate Nelligan as the distraught mother who lashes out at the police (in the person of a relentless detective played by Judd Hirsch), who make her and her husband suspects, even as she hounds them to find her child and drives away her husband (David Dukes) and friends (including Stockard Channing) with her intensity and single-mindedness. The first film by producer Stanley Jaffe, all of the goodwill he earns two-thirds of the way through is squandered on a Hollywood ending that doesn't square with the real case: Etan Patz was never found. --Marshall Fine Amazon.com

Based on a True Story

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Shadow Watcher
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Stanley R. Jaffe directed this excellent 1983 film, adapted by Beth Gutcheon from her novel, STILL MISSING, which was, in turn, based on an actual case of a missing child.

One morning, college professor Kate Nelligan watches her nearly seven-year-old son go off to school, only to discover later that he never arrived there. Judd Hirsch plays the NYC detective who leads the investigation that stretches over days and months, takes several wrong turns and, ultimately, appears to have a tragic conclusion.

But, unlike the real case, the producers have given this movie an unexpected happy, uplifting ending that is guaranteed to bring tears to your eyes.

Both Nelligan and Hirsch deliver superb, wrenching performances. The first-rate cast also includes David Dukes as the missing boy's father, who is estranged from Nelligan, and Stockard Channing as Kate's best friend.

© Michael B. Druxman, author of ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD October 11, 2008

Really Enjoyed The Movie

I have had this movie on vhs tape for years.
It was nice to get a dvd clean copy of a movie
that my wife and I think is one of the best. September 17, 2008

Don't miss

This movie is excellent! I love Kate Nelligan in this role. The suspense is built from the start and the end is beautiful. You can't miss it. July 14, 2008

Review

I have had this movie on video for several years - I love it!. I lent it out and lost track of it. I ordered the DVD and am very satisfied with ease of ordering. the quality of the product, and the delivery process. I am a repeat customer. Thank you! July 24, 2007

Wonderful!

I first saw this movie years ago, and was thrilled to find it again. There is so little I can say that will not give away the plot, but this is Kate Nelligan at her absolute best. May 7, 2007

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