Three lighthouse keepers on the remote Flannan Isles of the coast of Scotland find a hidden trunk of gold, leading to their mysterious disappearance.
“The Vanishing” is based on true events that transpired in 1900 on Eilean Mòr, one of the Flannan Isles off the west coast of Scotland. Three lighthouse keepers who were tasked with maintaining the lighthouse and its surroundings inexplicably disappeared and as of today, the mystery has still not been solved. Back in the day, the locals were convinced that the men were either taken away by a sea monster, abducted by foreign spies, met their fate at the hands of a boat of vengeful spirits, or that they sailed away to begin a new life elsewhere. Because there has never been an explanation for the men’s disappearance, “The Vanishing” takes the premise of three lighthouse keepers and offers a plausible outcome as to their vanishing.
Set in 1900, James (Gerard Butler), Thomas (Peter Mullan), and Donald (Connor Swindells) arrive on the island of Eilean Mòr to begin their six-week shift tending to the island’s lighthouse. As time passes by, the three men share responsibilities on the island but one afternoon, Donald, the youngest of the three, spots a small rowboat and a body which has been washed ashore. James and Thomas help lower him down to the body at which point he states the man is not breathing. He discovers a large wooden chest next to the body and sends it up to the men above but the body of the man he thought was dead stands up and knocks Donald to the ground. He pummels him repeatedly and then tries to drown him but Donald manages to secure a rock and hits the man with it in the head, killing him instantly. They wrap the body up and store it in a small chapel near the lighthouse and intend to inform the authorities of what happened when they return.
Curious as to why the man responded in such a violent manner at the sight of his wooden chest being taken from him, they open it up only to discover several bars of gold, wrapped up in various assortments of clothing. Initially ecstatic at the discovery, James and Donald talk about how their lives will change for the better but Thomas, the eldest of the three and the most knowledgeable, states that if they are to take the gold, they must plan accordingly and will have to get rid of the body. He works out a plan to hide the gold bars around the island and every six weeks when they return, over the course of a year, they will remove one bar at a time, making sure not to draw attention to themselves. The men agree but no sooner have they put their plan in motion, two strangers appear on the horizon in a small boat, asking about a man and a wooden chest. How the three men implement a response, will change all of their lives forever.
“The Vanishing” is a well-constructed, taut thriller that will literally keep you guessing to the very end. How the filmmakers conclude the story is obviously not what happened to the real men in 1900 because their case was never solved but it does make you wonder what happened to them and if the film’s narrative even comes close. Gerard Butler, usually the strong protagonist in his movies, here, displays an emotional vulnerability that proves he is more than just a leading man, he is also capable of adding impressive layers of depth to his character with the right script. Veteran actor Peter Mullan and newcomer Connor Swindells round out the cast with superb performances and director Kristoffer Nyholm keeps the plot twists coming fast and furious. Given its remote location, I think “The Vanishing” might have been better served utilizing supernatural elements but as a psychological thriller, it does the job too.
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