Blast of Silence | 
| Director: Allen Baron
Actors: Allen Baron, Joe Bubbico, Peter Clume, Charles Creasap, Bill De Prato
Studio: Criterion
Category: DVD
List Price: CDN$ 32.99
Buy New: CDN$ 22.73
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New (18) Used (2) from CDN$ 22.73
Rating:  1 reviews
Sales Rank: 13390
Format: Black & White, Dolby, Full Screen, Ntsc
Language: English (Original Language)
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1
Dimensions (in): 7.5 x 5.3 x 0.6
MPN: CC1745DDVD
UPC: 715515028721
EAN: 0715515028721
ASIN: B0012Z363A
Theatrical Release Date: April 1961
Release Date: April 15, 2008
Availability: Usually ships within 1 - 2 business days
Shipping: International shipping available
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| Customer Reviews:
Could Allen Baron Have Been Another Stanley Kubrick? April 27, 2008
A. Wheeler (Ottawa, Canada)
Blast of Silence is a fascinating film. It follows the journey of a hit man from Cleveland coming to New York City to do a job in 1959. What makes this film particularly unique and compelling are three fold in my opinion: The first is the dynamic black and white location shooting around New York City; two, the earthy and gritty narration in the second person by Lionel Stander; and finally, the character study of the hit man himself, played by Allen Baron.
The film is only 77 minutes long, yet seems longer. It is the intensity and ominous nature of the film that makes it seem so. The hit man, Frankie Bono, is an emotional basket case. What is particularly disturbing about his character is that he probably isn't a psychopath or sociopath, but simply a psychologically damaged individual pursuing an evil career. He is a character that has to go through delusional rationales to build imaginary hatreds toward his targets. He is a man who exists within the banality of evil.
What is striking about the character of Frankie Bono is the lack of social skills that he has. The film describes him as a loner. However, one has to assume that he may never have experienced any kind of love his whole life. His pathetic efforts at interacting with a woman he meets that he once knew as a child growing up in an orphanage emphasize this lack of social and love experience in his life. He may never have actually had a close friend or girlfriend. The fact that he shows a desire for this is what suggests to me that he would not be a psychopath, and actually must live with the tragic burden on his conscience of what he had chosen to become.
I should also mention that I was very impressed with the performance of Larry Tucker in this film, who played Fat Ralph. A true scene stealer that would have made Timothy Carey proud. In fact, it is amazing to me that Tucker was not able to parlay himself into a great film career as a character actor. He definitely has the charisma and talent of a good character actor. I wish I could have seen him in more films.
The film is reminiscent of an earlier film noir made in 1955 by Stanley Kubrick called Killer's Kiss. Both films were first time directorial efforts. They both were low in budget, but they more than made up for that with high creative energy. Both had simply plots and story lines, but this is secondary to the mood and themes that these films brilliantly conveyed. It is interesting to see how Kubrick was able to go on to have one of the most brilliant careers in film history, whereas Allen Baron disappeared into relative obscurity directing hundreds of mediocre TV shows. Yet, if we look at both films, I would argue Baron's Blast of Silence is superior to Killer's Kiss. Its presentation is more creative, the acting of the supporting cast much stronger, and the violence much more realistic and compelling.
There was genius in the making of Blast of Silence, but it may have been inspirational genius that once captured in a bottle could never again be released and controlled. Kubrick was obviously able to harness this genius and grow it to ever greater heights.
Blast of Silence is a very good film. It may very well be a great film in terms of its unique presentation of mood and theme. Well worth watching if you enjoy the art of film making as true art.
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