'The Vanishing' trivia and fun facts
Legend
The actual location where the mystery began was in the Flannan Islands, approximately twenty miles west of the Outer Hebrides island of Lewis, in Scotland. The small island where the lighthouse is situated is called Eilean Mor. On, or about, December 15, 1900, three lighthouse keepers stationed on Eilean Mor, Thomas Marshall, James Ducat and Donald MacArthur, mysteriously vanished without a trace, and speculation as to what became of the three men is still rife after almost 118 years.
Great inspirations
The film feels akin to the 1948 John Huston classic 'The Treasure of the Sierra Madre', he says, as well as some of the early Polanski dramas, and films from the 1970s ?that often had a very simple set up and a simple engagement with people in a limited space.?
Locations
Four different lighthouses were used to create what is seen in the movie as a singular location: Mull of Galloway lighthouse was used for Exterior and interior cottages, lighthouse, lighthouse garden and the headland of the island. Killantrigan lighthouse was used as an interior staircase and side garden Corsewall lighthouse was used for a single interior shot and to create the cliff many of the cliff scenes. Cloch lighthouse, was used for the interior Lightroom as it no longer operational and beautifully preserved.
Three characters, three characteristics
Bone notes that very early in the process the writers wanted to distinguish the three characters in age, physique and wisdom. ?This would complete the puzzle - youth versus muscle versus brains.?
Immersion in feature films
Kristoffer has worked under Lars von Trier on a number of projects, including 'The Boss of it All', 'The idiots', 'Breaking the waves' and 'Epidemic'. He has also directed a number of music videos, commercials, shorts and documentaries. Prior to 'Keepers', Kristoffer directed 'Taboo'.
Faked Flannan Isles
Due to its isolation, shooting at the actual Flannan Isles lighthouse was not an option. Hence the filmmakers, after extensive scouting, settled on Galloway in southwest Scotland, with specific attention paid to the lighthouse on the tip of the Mull of Galloway.