JohnDoe
Bryn
BrentonPoint Blank (1967) - Trailer Included
March 7th 2007 00:00
Point Blank
Apologies to local readers, it is not by design that the last three films I have reviewed are not available on DVD in Australia yet. Point Blank is released through Warner Brothers in the U.S. and U.K.
U.S. DVD Cover - Unreleased in Oz
Writers:Alexander Jacobs, Donald E Westlake
Starring:Lee Marvin, Angie Dickinson, John Vernon, Keenan Wynn, Michael Strong, Carroll O Connor
"You're a very bad man, Walker, a very destructive man! Why do you run around doing things like this?." - Brewster
Virtually unnoticed upon its release except for its controversial violence, Point Blank has become an influential cult classic. Establishing a new tone for the criminal revenge melodrama and later, guided films like Mike Hodge’s Get Carter (1971) and Steven Soderburgh’s The Limey (1999).
Cold and brutal, haunting and profound, this is a revisionist noir. The film opens to the sounds of a cracking gun shot and a dazed Walker (Lee Marvin) waking up in a prison cell on Alcatraz asking “How did I get here”.
The no nonsense Walker is a bank robber who has been double crossed by his partners in crime and they owe him his cut.
So begins one man’s decimating debt collection, like a cyclone with purpose it soon becomes clear that this is not about the money, it’s emotional, a betrayal of friendship (John Vernon) and a question of honour.
Hate, lust and anger fuel Walker’s every move, exploiting or destroying everyone that crosses his path. His beautiful wife Chris (Angie Dickinson) was in on the rip off and soon she is pulled into his frenzy of bloodshed too.
To late, he realises his heart has become ice, morality abandoned and his identity has become that which he despises, but he has gone to far to turn back now.
"Somebody's got to pay." - Walker
What's McQueen's Mustang doing here?
John Doe says:
A rivetting and intense character study, Point Blank is a thoughtful thriller brimming with threatening emotion and moral conflicts that add weight to a groundbreaking film.
The restrained power of Director John Boorman (Deliverance, Hell in the Pacific, Excalibur, The General) unapologetically achieves an ultra real, authentic atmosphere result in a suspenseful, complex and visually exciting film.
The technical skills on display are dazzlinging. The meticulous, emotive cinematography that uses a distinct palette of colour delivers a kinetic energy.
Cleverly edited, bold sound design and a revolutionary use of echoing flashbacks make for visceral blending of image and sound that still feels bold today.
The early bar brawl scene with a thumping score pounding Walkers rage and the resonating sound of his beating footsteps down a hallway to his prey are unforgettable examples of what I’m talking about. (Featured in the trailer)
The tightly wound script by Alexander Jacobs (Hell In The Pacific, The Seven Ups, The French Connection II) & Donald E Westlake (The Grifters, The Split, the Hot Rock, The Outfit) is confident and avoids cliché. Minimal in exposition, there is not a line more than needed.
Lee Marvin athis rawest and most primal (The Dirty Dozen, Attack, Hell In The Pacific, The Big Red One, The Killers, The Iceman Cometh, Gorky Park etc) makes criminal avenger Walker a tough guy icon of furious rage, rivalling Clint chewing on a cigar while packing a 44. Magnum.
Trick is he also brings humanity to an irredeemable role and a subtle air of regret seeps through in the character the more ruthless he becomes.
By the time grizzled hard man Marvin made this film he was entering a renaissance and now after the smoke has cleared this stands out as one of his most understated and refined performances. Possibly JD’s favourite out of a career of believable portrayals.
Sex Bomb Angie Dickinson (Rio Bravo, Oceans 11, The Killers, Police Story, Big bad Momma, Dressed To Kill) brings her voluptuous presence plus more to the role by gaining sympathy despite her part being a two timing wench. In real life she was pissed off at Marvin because on a previous film together he hand manhandled her.
John Vernon (Charley Varrick, The Uncanny, Animal House and loads of TV) is his usual smarmy self and Keenan Wynn (Dr Strangelove, Battle Circus, Nashville, Piranha) as always delivers.
Poorly remade in the 90's as Payback starring Mel Gibson, in hsi version Walker needs to be redeemed and come off as a good guy, a travesty within modern entries into the genre. Lee Marvin never plays for sympathy, that is one of the things that brings John Doe back to the original.
It confronts us with the darker side to the vigilante mythology that is worshipped in cinema and the culture. Seen most recently in David Cronenburg’s A History of Violence, this is a film that is not afraid to show that killing changes you regardless of motive and leaves deep psychological scars.
The U.S DVD
Transfer: Widescreen/2.0 Dolby Digital
Extras: Essential Directors Commentary with John Boorman and Steven Soderburg
watching the film and discussing each scene. Addition 2 part documentary feature titled The Rock, all about Alcatraz Prison.
Watch the Trailer
See the moody opening credits for the film.
A little treat I couldn't resist sharing, Angie Dickinson in short, shorts
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Comment by Cibbuano
20/20 Filmsight
Science News
Hunt Famous
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Fat Cult
Techbreak
is this really the same plot as Payback? I didn't mind Payback - I thought it was quite generic, but with a decent story... the original sounds exhilarating...
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
I will have to remember to loan you Point Blank next time I see you.
On the commentary track of the DVD The director talks about Payback. He says that Payback is actually based on the screenplay that the original filmmakers rejected. Lee Marvin showed John Boorman and they both thought it was absolute crap and threw it away to start from scratch.
I had a real hard time even getting through Payback, (hated it) escpecially when I had read that the Director shot a gritty ending that Gibson insisted on reshooting so he looks like a hero....thats the difference, in the original they go to great lengths showing Walker is not a hero where as in Payback he is.
Let alone the, as you said generic structure and lazy style of the remake.
Comment by Theresa
Vintage Culture
Technology Bloggers
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Anonymous Film Critic
Borderless World
Penny Smart
Wow. o.k., this movie needs to be seen.
Though I admit to liking Payback, and remember the Lucy Liu performance.
Theresa
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Glad I got you excited about it.
Lucy Liu in bondage gear is about all I remember visually from Payback too.
Comment by KylieW
Celebrity Obsession
I will have to check this film out when it's released here.
Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
Interesting spelling of the word "voluptuous" though ... LOL
Angie Dickinson. Mmmmmm.
Up there as one of John Boorman's best films.
And Lee Marvin's.
(yeah, I dug Lucy in that bondage gear too)
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD