JohnDoe
Bryn
BrentonBlast of Silence (1961) - Trailer Included
November 12th 2009 23:20
The Icy Machinations of a Hunters Psyche
Blast of Silence - Criterion Collection DVD
Director: Allen Barron
Writer: Allen Barron and Waldo Salt
Starring: Allen Barron, Larry Tucker, Molly Mccarthy
"Remembering out of the black silence, you were born in pain." - Narrator
The hitman genre has a tendency to focus on ‘the best” in the business, the guy with a reputation for almost super human stealth and economical execution. (Leon: The Professional, Le Samourai, The Killer, The Mechanic) Never garnering the attention it deserves, the low budget, indie noir A Blast of Silence takes an alternate route with its character driven narrative.
Allen Barron on target.
“They all hate the gun they hire. When people look at you, baby boy Frankie Bono, they see death. Death across the counter.” - Narrator
Following the deadly but non-distinct hired assassin named Frank Bono (Allen Barron) through every scene, the story begins with our spiteful thug returning to his hometown of New York City on assignment to whack an inept rival mobster. Before the job is done faces from his youth trigger a self awareness that forces the focused professional to examine the internalized damage of his career path.
“You don't have to know a man to live with him. But you have to know a man like a brother to kill him.” - Narrator
Allen Barron makes noise in Blast of Silence
John Doe Says:
Made long before there was such a thing as the “low budget indie” genre, this shot on location gem captures New York’s urban ennui of the time. Sparse on character dialogue, the inner machinations of Bono are revealed through a third person vile voice of god narration written by Waldo Salt (Midnight Cowboy, Serpico, The Day of the Locust).
Salt’s contribution is important but it is Screenwriter/Director and Star Allen Barron that is responsible for the engrossing complexities where this work dwells. Labeled the new “Orson Welles” at the time of the films lackluster release, the promise shown here was ignored by the studios. Though his next film Terror in the City was equally impressive artistically it also failed, instead Barron went onto a successful 40 year career as a television Director. Shows like Night Gallery, The Night Stalker and Charlie’s Angels being a few of his credits.
The Director is armed for any guerilla conflict on the streets.
As Frank Bono the actor Allen Barron implies menace in every gesture while somehow carrying an incognito nature.
Molly McCarthy (The Flamingo Kid) as the representation of innocence lost and the object of Frank’s regretful unfulfilled desire is unhampered by any idealism. Playing Big Ralph, Larry Tucker (Shock Corridor) is a freak show reflection of the hedonistic desperation and duplicity of the disconnected modern world that our lead inhabits.
Few films reach the level of insight this one does and for John Doe it ranks as a noir masterpiece. Staggering like a gunshot to the belly, giving us time to live each step of the process of a paid killer. Blast of Silence is an early example of how quality cinema need not cost millions or need a name brand actor in order to resonate through decades, possibly even centuries.
Blast of Silence Trailer.
Watch the first 10 minutes of this cold, calculated thesis called Blast of Silence.
For more details visit the official Criterion Site HERE
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Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Did you watch the opening footage?