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Blow Out (1981)
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Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writer:
Release Date:
24 July 1981 (USA)
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Tagline:
The Blow Out took them to the edge of terror . . . his questions took them way beyond [Video Australia] more
Plot:
A soundman accidentally records the evidence that proves a car "accident" was murder, and consequently finds himself in danger. full summary | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Sound
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Car Accident
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Conspiracy
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Murder
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Witness
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NewsDesk:
(19 articles)
Fall Frights: Carrie (DVD Review)
(From Fangoria. 5 October 2009, 1:23 PM, PDT)
Third Teaser Poster - All About Evil
(From Dread Central. 29 September 2009, 10:43 PM, PDT)
(From Fangoria. 5 October 2009, 1:23 PM, PDT)
Third Teaser Poster - All About Evil
(From Dread Central. 29 September 2009, 10:43 PM, PDT)
User Comments:
The scream!
more (102 total)
Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only) | John Travolta | ... | Jack Terry |
 | Nancy Allen | ... | Sally |
 | John Lithgow | ... | Burke |
 | Dennis Franz | ... | Manny Karp |
| Peter Boyden | ... | Sam |
| Curt May | ... | Donahue |
| John Aquino | ... | Det. Mackey |
| John McMartin | ... | Lawrence Henry |
| Deborah Everton | ... | Hooker |
 | J. Patrick McNamara | ... | Detective at hospital |
| Missy Cleveland | ... | Coed lover (as Amanda Cleveland) |
| Roger Wilson | ... | Coed lover |
| Lori-Nan Engler | ... | Sue |
| Cindy Manion | ... | Dancing coed |
| Missy O'Shea | ... | Dancing coed |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
108 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Color (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
Singapore:M18 |
Germany:16 |
Canada:18A (Ontario) |
South Korea:18 |
Philippines:R-18 |
Brazil:18 |
Italy:VM14 |
New Zealand:R16 |
Australia:M |
Finland:K-16 |
France:-12 |
France:U (re-release: 2000) |
Norway:16 (1982) |
Sweden:15 |
UK:18 |
USA:R (certificate #26347) |
Argentina:16 |
UK:X (original rating) |
Iceland:16
Filming Locations:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
During the editing process, two reels of footage from the Liberty Parade sequence were stolen and were never to be seen again. This meant that the scenes had to be reshot at a cost of $750,000. Cinematographer Vilmos Zsigmond was no longer available, so he was replaced by László Kovács.
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Goofs:
Revealing mistakes: When Burke murders a girl who looks like Sally, to establish the fictitious serial killer's MO, and turns her over to look at her face, the dead girl blinks.
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Quotes:
Movie Connections:
Referenced in "The Charlie Rose Show: Quentin Tarantino" (1994)
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FAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more (102 total)
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Brian DePalma was at the height of his film career when he undertook the direction of "Blow Out". Some comments to this forum have compared it to other distinguished films like Francis Ford Coppola's "The Conversation" and Michaelangelo Antonioni's "Blow Up", a comparison that seems to make sense, in a way, but Mr. DePalma, who wrote his own screen play, is an intelligent man who didn't need to copy anything from those masters of the cinema.
In fact, "Blow Out" has kept its impact as a thriller mystery with its political overtones as it mixes crime with the lives of influential people that might give viewers a point of reference between the movie and actual historical facts.
We are given an introduction to Jack's line of work as we watch scenes of the porno film that he is working on as a sound technician. The only thing that is needed is a real scream which the many actresses, either on the film itself, or being auditioned, can't produce. Whatever comes out of those women's throats are wimpy sounds, not a horror yell for help.
Jack, who is out one night recording sounds for future ventures, captures the shot that causes the "blow out" and makes a car plunge into a creek. Jack abandons everything and jumps to rescue whoever he can save. He is only successful in bringing Sally out of the water. This is the beginning of Jack's involvement into the mystery behind the actual fact.
Mr. DePalma's thriller is visually stylish. He photographed the movie in Philadelphia. The film has the excellent Vilmos Zsigmond behind the camera. The atmospheric music by Pino Donoggio serves the movie well.
John Travolta's career was in decline when he made this movie. He gives a terrific performance as the sound effect man who stumbles in a conspiracy to eliminate the witnesses to the accident. Nancy Allen is not as effective as Sally, the young prostitute at the center of the story. Being married to the director might have helped her land the part, which with some other actress might have paid off better. John Lighgow is perfectly creepy as Burke, the evil man. Dennis Franz has the pivotal part of Karp, the man who was able to photograph the whole incident.
"Blow Out" is a must see for all Brian DePalma's admirers.