While Jim Henley is taking his family on a scenic road trip through the Nevada desert, his son Matt asks them to stop to photograph a ghost town called Weaver. The problem is, none of the locals seem to have ever heard of it, and it’s not on any of the maps except for a vintage one Matt dug up. Once there, they find more and more evidence that this abandoned town harbors something very alive and extremely perilous, and others who’ve gone to explore Weaver may have suffered horrible consequences. As they continue to poke around Weaver, an unknown force appears bent on making sure that Jim and his family aren’t going anywhere.

An ambitious, thoroughly creepy thriller written and directed by prolific telefilm writer Walter Klenhard (Buried Alive II), DISAPPEARANCE uses the barren Australian outback as a stand-in for the US Southwest for a tense tale inspired by desert horrors such as The Hills Have Eyes. Reuniting TV’s L.A. Law veterans Harry Hamlin (Clash of the Titans) and Susan Dey (Looker), the film also boasts sweeping and eerie desert cinematography by David Connell (Storm of the Century) and an unsettling score by Shirley Walker (Final Destination). Iconoscope is elated to release this late-cycle telefilm on Blu-ray for the first time, newly scanned in 4K from its 35mm original camera negative and loaded with an array of supplemental extras.

For thoughts on Disappearance, please check out my thoughts on No Streaming Required:

Video Quality

This new Blu-Ray from Iconoscope gives Disappearance an AVC-encoded 1080p transfer in 1.85:1 derived from a newly commissioned 4K restoration from the 35mm Original Camera Negative. This obscure television film has never been available on Blu-Ray before, and this gorgeous new restoration proudly preserves it for a new audience. The cinematography from David Connell is essential to establishing the atmosphere of this mysterious, sweltering nightmare. Colors radiate off the screen nicely, especially in the warm desert tones that permeate the screen, even if the earthy palette is not particularly varied.

Black levels hold up very well and never lack for shadow detail. The picture never falters with crush, and highlights are firm with no semblance of blooming. The picture has a solid, consistent grain structure that preserves the filmic look of the presentation, showcasing subtle details in the locale. This presentation is entirely free of print damage such as specks, scratches, and tears. Skin tones look natural, with an excellent amount of facial detail present in close-ups. This exciting sublabel has given this film a terrific new life on Blu-Ray which allows it to look the best it ever has.

Audio Quality

This Blu-Ray comes with a DTS-HD 2.0 Master Audio stereo track that captures this moody tale flawlessly. The sounds of the sprawling desert creep through to provide some excellent ambient details. All of the various sounds in the mix seem accurately rendered so that nothing ever feels askew. Dialogue comes through clearly without being overshadowed by the sound effects or the score from Shirley Walker. Every note complements the general eerie vibe as it comes through confidently in this presentation. Iconoscope has provided an audio track that is equal to the excellence of the video quality. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided.

Special Features

Audio Commentaries: A pair of new commentary tracks are provided that dive into the film from both a historical and personal point of view. The participants discuss the film’s place among telefilms at the time, the various inspirations for the story, bringing together the ensemble, shooting in Australia, and so much more that is worth a listen.

- Audio Commentary #1: Film historian Rob Kelly and author Daniel Budnik

- Audio Commentary #2: Director Walter Klenhard, moderated by author and film historian Amanda Reyes

TBS Superstation Promo Trailer (1:38)

New Concorde Home Video Promo Trailer (1:32)

Still Gallery (1:36)

Booklet: A multi-page booklet featuring the essay “The Outback in Australian Film Culture” by Simon Foster is provided which delves into how the genre space has utilized the Australian terrain in forging cinematic nightmares.

Final Thoughts

Disappearance is a standout in the early 2000s telefilm space, especially since movies made for television are often seen as lesser. The movie runs on vibes, and you find yourself getting more and more creeped out as you sink deeper into the nightmare. While the film borrows inspiration from a variety of sources, the end concoction blends together very well for a chilling journey that feels like a forgotten episode of Goosebumps or The Twilight Zone. Iconoscope has provided a Blu-Ray that features a stellar A/V presentation and a nice offering of supplemental features. Highly Recommended

Disappearance is currently available to purchase on Blu-Ray.

Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the Blu-Ray.

Disclaimer: Iconoscope has supplied a copy of this set free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.