Blast of Silence - Criterion Collection (1961)

blackjack cinema

Criterion have dealt us the perfect blackjack hand with Alan Baron's 'Blast Of Silence', a jack of diamonds and an ace of spades, at once cold and dark, sharp and velvet edged. The film takes from Aldrich and Fuller and sifts its existential themes through a Godardian disdain for continuity. The beautifully modulated voice over, delivered by the (exiled) Lionel Stander allows the photography to dissolve the relationship between narrative and emotional resonance. We are encouraged to experience the protagonist's(Baron)isolation as a cry of anguish in the newly evolving mediocraty of consumerism. He prowls the night illuminated by the shrill lights of department stores, lurking in the false havens of bars and the kind of New York apartments that only exist in movies. In this sense Baron creates a world just as Jean-Pierre Melville does, a cinema of essentials, a cinema stripped bare of the illusory fullness of imaginary space. The world of 'Blast Of Silence' is the world of actions not motives. This hit man exists only when he is in the game, his search for solace, for love, for affection are always already doomed, just as he is, to take it in the back, him and Jean-Paul Belmondo, falling forever into the projectors smoke filtered light. Noir. September 14, 2008

Raw. Minimalist. Existential. Noir.

Blast of Silence is a low-budget crime drama that's closer
to a French noir than an American one. It was shot on
location in NYC and feels more like a black-and-white
documentary than a movie.

It's a character study with an uncomplicated plot: A hitman
comes to NYC from Chicago in order to make a hit. He
arranges to get a gun from his connection and has to kill
time (no pun intended) while waiting to do the job. It's
Christmas time and that depresses this professional killer
who grew up in an orphanage and has limited social skills.

He bumps into an old friend from that orphanage and
reluctantly goes to a Christmas party. He's an outsider
both figuratively and literally. He's like a more restrained
version of Travis Bickle from Taxi Driver except there is no
doubt as to what side of the law he is on (I still think Bickle
is a good guy though my wife thinks he's crazy.)

By the end of BLAST OF SILENCE, you do feel sorry for
the hit-man, however. There's a bit of sadness in his
misanthropy and you will not soon forget this film.
September 14, 2008

My first walk on the wild side!

I saw this movie when it was first released. I loved it! I had never seen anything like it and tried to get my buddies to see it. They felt the same way I had at first."This movie can't be any good, there's nobody famous in it". It taught me that there was a whole world of films out there that I hadn't been aware of. It was a great discovery that echoes down to this day. The film is probably about a 3 1/2 but I'll give it four for the life lesson it taught! June 13, 2008

an forgotten low budget gem returns.

This review is for the Criterion Collection DVD edition of the film

Blast of Silence is about a hitman on the brink of retirement named Frank Bono (Allen Baron) who is hired to kill a mobster. I don't want to say much else that would spoil the story.

This film was made on a very low budget but is well made and has good cinematography. The film's release onto DVD has gotten it many positive reviews in the media.

The DVD has good special features also including one I'd like to see more of. There is a making of documentary a theatrical trailer, behind the scenes photos, and my favorite, a comparison of the filming locations as they looked then and how they look today.

This is a movie that film enthusiasts will love. June 12, 2008

A Classic Film Noir Finally Restored

Allen Baron's BLAST OF SILENCE is a one-of-a-kind noir masterpiece. For decades, it's been difficult to find. Luckily for us, Criterion has recently released it on DVD, and true to form, they've restored it to perfect condition. For lovers of independent New York films, cult movies, crime flicks, and anyone who loves good cinema, this is essential viewing. The special features are indeed special, and add to a deeper appreciation of an overlooked classic. Highly recommended. June 9, 2008

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