Blast of Silence Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A grumpy hitman tries to have a quiet Christmas murder in New York but keeps getting interrupted by friendly orphanage buddies and a sketchy gun dealer with unusual pets.

🍿 Blast of Silence: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Arrival in New York

Frankie Bono, a professional hitman, arrives in New York City from Cleveland just before Christmas. He’s been hired to assassinate a mid-level mobster named Troiano. The film immediately establishes Bono’s isolation and the harsh, unforgiving nature of his profession through stark black and white cinematography and a cynical voice-over narration.

Planning the Hit and Old Acquaintances

Bono meticulously plans the assassination, casing Troiano’s routines. He avoids contact, but recognizes Peter, an old friend from the orphanage. Peter invites him to a Christmas party, where Bono reconnects with Lori, a former flame. The contrast between Peter’s settled life and Bono’s solitary existence begins to unsettle him.

The Gun Connection and Rising Tensions

Bono seeks a gun with a silencer from Big Ralph, a shady dealer with pet rats. Ralph recognizes Bono from the nightclub where he sees Troiano. Ralph tries to blackmail him, leading to a violent confrontation where Bono kills Ralph. This complicates the hit and further isolates Bono, escalating the tension.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Frank Bono (Allen Baron): A professional hitman returning to New York during Christmas to complete a contract killing, while battling his inner demons and past connections.
• Lori (Molly McCarthy): An old acquaintance of Frankie’s who shows him kindness, offering a glimpse of a different life and stirring his conflicted emotions.
• Big Ralph (Larry Tucker): A sleazy and overweight gun dealer with pet rats, who attempts to exploit Frankie’s need for a weapon and pays the ultimate price.
• Troiano (Peter Clune): The mid-level mobster in New York City who is the target of Frankie Bono’s contract killing.
• Petey (Danny Meehan): A former acquaintance of Frankie’s from the orphanage, whose invitation to a Christmas party complicates the hitman’s isolated existence.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Narrator: “Remembering, out of the black silence you were born in pain… You were born with hate and anger built in. Took a slap on the backside to blast out a scream, and then you knew you were alive.” – The opening narration sets the tone for Frankie Bono’s bleak and violent existence.
• Narrator: “You’re alone. But you don’t mind that. You’re a loner. That’s the way it should be. You’ve always been alone. By now it’s your trademark. You like it that way.” – The narrator sums up Frankie Bono’s preferred state of isolation and detachment.
• Narrator: “Baby Boy Frankie Bono.” – The narrator’s casual mentioning of the killer’s full name, as if a diminutive, creates a sarcastic tone.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $65,000
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: $339

💥 Blast of Silence Reviews

Personal Review

I stumbled upon ‘Blast of Silence’ late one night, and I was immediately hooked. The way it portrays New York City is just incredible, so dark and real. Allen Baron’s performance, while understated, is so effective in showing the loneliness and desperation of a hitman who’s just going through the motions. That scene with the Christmas lights flashing as he’s walking down the street? Chilling!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Film Noir”
  • “Those interested in independent films”
  • “Viewers who like gritty, realistic crime stories”
  • “People fascinated by the urban landscape of New York City”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence”
  • “Strong Language”
  • “Brief Attempted Sexual Assault”

Professional Reviews

• The New York Times: “Allen Baron’s ‘Blast of Silence’ is a tightly wound, atmospheric noir that captures the gritty underbelly of 1960s New York. The film’s stark black and white cinematography and second-person narration create a sense of unease and isolation, drawing the viewer into the mind of a professional killer.
• Variety: “A low-budget but effective thriller, ‘Blast of Silence’ overcomes its limitations with strong direction and a compelling central performance by Allen Baron. While the pacing may be slow for some, the film’s atmospheric visuals and dark tone create a memorable cinematic experience.
• Slant Magazine: “A standout noir. Baron’s direction creates a visceral New York of shadows and desperation, a city that mirrors Frankie Bono’s haunted soul. This isn’t just a crime drama; it’s a bleak poem about loneliness and the futility of trying to escape one’s fate.

Audience Reactions

The gritty portrayal of New York City in the 1960s is incredibly realistic and immersive.: Viewers loved the film’s authentic depiction of New York and its ability to capture a sense of urban alienation.

Allen Baron’s understated performance as Frankie Bono is both compelling and unsettling.: Many praised Baron’s performance, noting that his quiet intensity perfectly conveyed the character’s internal struggles.

Overall Consensus: ‘Blast of Silence’ is a well-regarded noir film known for its atmospheric visuals, gritty realism, and compelling portrayal of a hitman grappling with his conscience.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Director Allen Baron also starred in, wrote, and edited the film on a shoestring budget of only $65,000.”
• “Much of the film was shot guerilla-style on the streets of New York City without permits, adding to its gritty realism.”
• “Lionel Stander, the narrator, was blacklisted during the McCarthy era and used the pseudonym ‘Mel Davenport’ in the credits.”
• “Part of the climax was filmed during an actual hurricane, Hurricane Donna, adding a genuine sense of chaos and danger.”

🖥️ How to Watch Blast of Silence?

Blast of Silence is available for purchase or rental on various platforms, including Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV. You may also find it on physical media through retailers specializing in classic films. Check your local listings for potential television broadcasts or streaming options through services like Criterion Channel, known for showcasing such films.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Blast of Silence, you might like these similar films:

• Murder by Contract (1958): Another low-budget noir about a methodical hitman whose carefully laid plans begin to unravel, creating a similar sense of tension and moral ambiguity.
• Le Samouraï (1967): Shares a similar theme of a solitary hitman meticulously carrying out assignments, with a focus on his isolation and internal struggle.
• Taxi Driver (1976): Features a similarly alienated protagonist in a gritty urban setting, grappling with loneliness and a descent into violence.
• The Killer (1989): A Hong Kong action film also focusing on a professional killer with a code of honor, but is caught up in chaotic circumstances.

🛒 Blast of Silence Related Products

• Blast of Silence (The Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray]: This Criterion Collection edition features a high-definition digital restoration with director’s commentary and a behind-the-scenes featurette, making it the definitive version for collectors and film enthusiasts.
• Film Noir: The Dark Side of Hollywood: Get deeper into Noir with a digital copy of Film Noir: The Dark Side of Hollywood. This book is a highly influential work on film noir offering great insights into films like ‘Blast of Silence’.
• Noir Alley T-Shirt: Show your appreciation for classic film noir with an officially licensed Noir Alley T-shirt featuring host Eddie Muller. Perfect for fans who enjoy discovering hidden gems like ‘Blast of Silence’.
• Re-Search #4/5: William Burroughs, Brion Gysin, Throbbing Gristle (Re/Search): Re-Search #4/5: William Burroughs, Brion Gysin, Throbbing Gristle. This Re-Search book features Blast of Silence, placing it within the underground film scene. A must-have for any hipster!

🎧 Soundtrack

Blast of Silence features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Dressed in Black” – performed by Dean Sheldon
• “Meyer Kupferman – Main Theme” – performed by Meyer Kupferman

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

10 Forgotten 60s Movies That Are Still Incredible in 2025!

Ever feel like the best movies are the ones nobody talks about? This video shines a light on some seriously underrated gems from the 60s, including Blast of Silence. I personally think it’s cool to see how they hold up!

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