The Vanishing Man
A wrongly imprisoned man turns invisible when wet.
The Vanishing Man is a 1997 television movie and subsequent 1998 series produced by ABTV and Harbour Pictures in association with Meridian Television for ITV. It stars Neil Morrissey as Nick Cameron, a man wrongly imprisoned for smuggling plutonium who gains the ability to turn invisible when in contact with water. After escaping from prison, his powers are used by a government agency.
Quick Facts
- Genre
- Drama Comedy Mystery
- Creator
- Anthony Horowitz
- Writer
- John Sullivan
- Director
- Roger Bamford
- Starring
- Jill Baker
- Helen Grace
- Neil Morrissey
- Composer
- Alexandre de Faria (pilot); Hal Lindes (series)
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Language
- English
Facts from the source article.
Plot summary
In the TV movie, Nick Cameron is a pilot running an air courier service with his brother Joe. He is sent to Schiphol to collect a package that unknowingly contains plutonium. Upon his return, he is arrested and sentenced to 25 years in prison despite pleading innocence. Solicitor Alice Grant helps Nick with an appeal and begins to believe his innocence after finding evidence of mistakes. Meanwhile, Nick's prison governor selects volunteers for medical research. Nick agrees and is taken to a remote country manor where a company called Gyges is researching a technique to protect skin against UV radiation. Ms Jeffries takes him to a lab, and despite his protests, he is strapped to a machine that scans laser beams across his body. He returns to prison weak and in agony. News of Nick's appeal worries Gyges, and they decide to kill him. As prison guards approach him in the shower, Nick sees his body disappearing from the feet up. He escapes invisibly, follows Alice to her car, and reappears naked on the back seat, causing a crash. Alice reluctantly takes him to her flat. Gyges deduces Nick is invisible and with Alice. Nick leaves and goes to a pub, where he meets old friends but flees when his hand turns invisible. Alice's boss visits her flat, spills tea, and his chair moves away; he leaves, taking her off a case. Alice realizes she is not alone and is swept off her feet by an invisible Nick.
Critical reception
Thomas Sutcliffe of The Independent wrote that the open ending suggested the comedy thriller was intended as a pilot. He noted improbabilities but said viewers would either switch off or enjoy the special effects. Sutcliffe found the programme avoided a sophisticated treatment of invisibility, instead relying on the charm of a protagonist who knocks baddies on the head and reappears nude for comic relief. He concluded that if a series were made, it should be scheduled for Saturday tea-time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who created The Vanishing Man?
The Vanishing Man was created by Anthony Horowitz.
Who stars in The Vanishing Man?
The Vanishing Man stars Jill Baker, Helen Grace and Neil Morrissey.
How many episodes of The Vanishing Man are there?
The Vanishing Man has 7 episodes across 1 season.
When did The Vanishing Man first air?
The Vanishing Man first aired on 2 April 1997.
More in Television Shows Produced by Meridian Broadcasting
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