The Vanishing: Based on the 1900 disappearance of the keepers at the Flannan Isles Lighthouse this film is updated to perhaps the 1930s and provides an explanation for what happened. The three keepers all have their own demons to deal with and this is exacerbated by the isolation on the island. The mundane tasks mixed with crab fishing, the only diversion being a sing-song. Then a storm descends and when it clears the lighthouse is surrounded by dead seagulls. A wrecked rowing boat is discovered and a seemingly dead man attacks one of the keepers, a chest is also found. This turns out to be Pandora's Box for all concerned. A bleak film, Peter Mullan as the head keeper puts in a convincing performance as the man with a plan, motivated perhaps by his past losses. The violence is savage at times but given the road traveled is perhaps inevitable. More savage thriller than horror. Directed Kristoffer Nyholm from a screenplay by Celyn Jones and Joe Bone. 7/10.
Review of The Vanishing
