A pneumatic door closer for closing a door having a controlled rate of closing that is generally uniform, smooth and safe. The door closer includes an elongated cylinder with a displaceable piston defining a vacuum chamber and a pressure chamber within the cylinder. A piston rod connected to the piston has its free end extending through a rod opening that includes an air impervious seal formed about the piston rod. A volume displacer placed within the cylinder adjusts the volume of the cylinder to better controlling door closing. Disposed in communication with the vacuum chamber is a breather arrangement for controlling the level of vacuum being created within the vacuum chamber during the closing stroke of the piston to control the resulting resistance forces acting on the piston such that the closing speed is substantially uniform throughout the closing stroke.