Plot: What’s it about?
Frankie Bono (Allen Baron) puts his work above all else, never allowing distractions to come between him and his intended goals on the job. His life is a solitary one, he walks the path alone and doesn’t lean on friends, family, or anyone else. He wants to make sure his focus is steadfast and never shaken, even for a second. He needs this level of focus because he works as a hitman, a hired assassin who must work in total silence and finish each assignment undetected. His latest target is a rich man named Troiano (Peter H. Clune), a simple enough mark, but the Christmas season has Frankie a little down. His loneliness begins to wear on him and when a former flame re-enters his life, Frankie finds himself in an unfamiliar situation. Can he maintain his focus and finish the job, or will he finally have to give in to his loneliness?
Blast of Silence isn’t a well known film, even to film noir buffs, but it should be. I wasn’t floored by the movie, but it is more than solid and has a lot of positive elements. The New York City landscape is so alive and real here, it becomes a character itself and more than once, I was lost in the urban visuals. But what really stands out about Blast of Silence is how urgent and intense it is, thanks to Allen Baron’s tight direction. The film has a short duration, so no time is wasted and right from the start, a dark cloud hovers and it never retreats. The wonderful jazz score adds to the increasing tension also, so as soon as the movie opens, we’re on a tense ride that rarely slows down. That said, Blast of Silence never rises to the level of the better film noir works, perhaps due in part to the rather bland performances. If a more skilled cast could have been assembled, who knows how good this could have been. In the end, Blast of Silence is still recommended, as it is solid, little seen picture.
Video: How does it look?
Blast of Silence is presented in full frame, as intended. As I knew this was a low budget feature produced well over four decades ago, I didn’t expect the world from this transfer. But as usual, Criterion’s restoration efforts have yielded a superb visual presentation. What stands out is how clear the image is, so detail is much stronger than I had expected. Given the film’s age and budget, it is a minor miracle to have such a sharp, crisp visual treatment. The black & white visuals are also given top notch contrast, so black levels are accurate throughout. Another great one from Criterion.
Audio: How does it sound?
The original mono track was used for this disc and while mono is limited in range, this material doesn’t need much in terms of audio power or impact. The music sounds clear and free from distortion, which is impressive for a movie of this age (1961). No traces of problems with dialogue either, as the vocals sound natural and very crisp at all times. The sounds of NYC come across well here, so no serious flaws to discuss in the end. This disc also includes optional English subtitles.
Supplements: What are the extras?
The most substantial extra is Requiem for a Killer, an hour long look back at the production of Blast of Silence. The piece is almost all interview time with Allen Baron, who shares his memories of the shoot. He has numerous stories and anecdotes to share, so the hour is packed with information. This disc also includes some still photos, as well as the film’s theatrical trailer.
