Blow Out (1981)

User Rating:

7.1/10   

Director:

Brian De Palma

Writer:

Brian De Palma (written by)

Release Date:

24 July 1981 (USA)

Genre:

Crime | Drama | Mystery | Thriller

Tagline:

The Blow Out took them to the edge of terror . . . his questions took them way beyond [Video Australia]

Plot:

A soundman accidentally records the evidence that proves a car "accident" was murder, and consequently finds himself in danger.

Plot Keywords:

Sound | Car Accident | Conspiracy | Murder | Witness

Cast

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

Runtime:

108 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

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:

30th Street Station - 3001 Market Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

Company:

Cinema 77

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.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: When making the film clip from the magazine photos, Jack removes a reel of exposed film from the camera and places it in a can with lights on in the room. Though the lead is wrapped around the outside of the reel, there is still the risk of ruining the film, which is highly frowned upon in any sort of professional setting.

Quotes:

Jack Terry: No one wants to know about conspiracy any more!

Movie Connections:

References Squirm (1976)

Powerful! Just powerful!

A young, leading man named Jack, catches a terribly wrong accident on his sound monitor for a film he is working on. In later times, it turns this "accident" was not what it seemed. He is then brought into a surreal, dark, and horrifying world full of murder, conspiracy, romance, and death! In witnessing this horror, he rescues a young, innocent woman named Sally. Soon enough, after romance blossoms, they realize they are just loose ends in a nightmare conspiracy, and it won't be long before they are "cut off". Mystery and suspense lurk behind every scene in this one. Travolta has real charm and presence, and works well with his delightful co-star Nancy Allen, whom also shines a good performance. The story is extremely sad, and the events are shocking, not because of gore and blood, but because conspiracy is disturbing, and when it goes on unresolved, ones mind will get the best of them. Film leaves such familiar vibes from such real-life conspiracies as the JFK, the Black Dahlia, and others. This is clearly a personal opinion or feeling DePalma is giving us, and his film-making will make you shiver! By the end of the story, the tears are flowing! Well done DePalma! You have made a masterpiece! 10/10