“The Vanished” was a full-length feature film produced nearly twenty years ago by the IDF Spokesperson’s Film Unit. It was an exceptionally ambitious and elaborate production, with an estimated budget of around one million dollars. The IDF invested generous resources—hundreds of extras, tanks, helicopters, and more were made available—and some of Israel’s top film professionals joined (or were enlisted) to take part in its creation. Nevertheless, at the very last moment, the IDF decided to shelv...