A Dour, Hallucinatory Neo-Noir, 1960’s ‘Blast of Silence’ Is Back on Blu-Ray

The hallmarks of film noir had been so well established by the time Allen Baron’s film came around that its down-at-the-heels existentialism had to come across as something of a parody.

Criterion Collection
A scene from 'Blast of Silence.' Criterion Collection

A field of black is interrupted by a wavering pinprick of light. A grainy, seen-it-all voice begins its recitation. “Remembering out of black silence. You were born in pain.” We hear a woman shrieking over the soundtrack. “Easy, easy does it little mother. You never lost a father. Your job is done, little mother.” 

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