Blow Out [4K UHD + Blu-Ray] (Criterion Collection) - UK Only

de Palma was at the top of his game during the 70s and 80s, churning out superb thrillers, oft-tinged with horror elements such as Sisters, Carrie, Dressed to Kill, The Fury, and this one, Blow Out. I won't go into detail regarding the plot as you can find that on the imdb, but if you're looking at this 4k release from Criterion and looking to see if it's worth the money, then the answer is a resounding 'YES.' It looks truly filmic, true to the source material. Not glossy and DNR'd to death, but like an early 1980s film treated with due respect. de Palma's use of split diopter shots is in full effect in this one, and the film as a whole looks tremendous. I really can't imagine it looking much better. Travolta is on fine form, Nancy Allen (what a babe she was) plays the ditzy patsy to perfection, Dennis Franz the sleazy photographer is great, and of course, the man of the show, John Lithgow, makes it worth watching based on his character alone. SO many great moments in this. The initial accident, the various actresses they audition for the scream, the overhead 360 as Travolta is in his recording studio and realises just how deep the conspiracy goes, the multiple 'sex killings' to draw attention away from the real target. An amazing film, and an excellent disc. 10/10

This is a film that shouldn't work. But it does. It's corny, hammed out acting, preposterous and untenable plot De Palma uses a lifetimes artistic licence. So why is this film so good? Brian De Palma weaves his colossal talent like a magic wand. The end result is a captivating film. The 4k bluray looks superb. Another other director wouid have made a terrible film. Brian De Palma somehow makes a modern classic. Unmissable. Just don't analyse the plot. Turn a blind eye and you'll love the film

One of John Travolta's lesser known films, but one of his best. Interesting story that unfolds slowly and builds to an exciting climax. Great supporting roles from de Palma regular Nancy Allen as well as John Lithgow. De Palma uses colour to great effect to enhance the imagery on screen and the soundtrack by Pino Donnagio captures the mood of the film and its characters perfectly. There are allusions to Michelangelo Antonioni's 1966 film 'Blowup' and Francis Ford Coppola's 'The Conversation', along with political references to the Kennedy assassination, the Zapruder film, and the Chappaquiddick incident. Definitely a film that will get you involved. Don't miss this one.

Top marks to Criterion for restoration and packaging - however, I can’t quite understand their decision to include this one to their list. I think it really is very bad indeed - however, John Travolta is, as usual, a real ‘Pro’.

Blind buy for me. Decent thriller. Nice 4k picture quality.

Great film but item arrived damaged

One of De Palma's best films ever, with a fantastic rhythm and sense of cinema from the very start to the end. There are maybe some excessive scenes where pathos, anxiety or drama are too stressed and become a little over the top, but he managed to resume from Antonioni former film and concept of technology changing the way we see the world, and develop a master-thriller, with fantastic scenes, all built around the idea of time, perception, distortion of the senses, and a truth and reality that is not what we know. A political thriller where the concept, the story and the way it is directed are all connected and converge into this great example of Cinema with the capitol C, without losing however any adherence with reality. It si not just art for art, but art that change the way we see the world. Great blu ray, with some flaws, but still top class.

Great title

Perfect transfer from 35mm to 4k of a Brian de Palma masterpiece. Perhaps the most sensationally diferent 4k/HD from all of de Palma's movies. The previous blu-ray is a pale comparison to this must watch restoration. Laser transfer from the original camera negative is an awesome 'Wow' with the combo HDR and Dolby vision. De Palma deserves It: this de Palma's movie above all the others.

Blow Out was a pleasant surprise. After watching Carrie and Scarface, I really enjoyed De Palma's style and blind buy this film. The reviews were positive and worth of mouth was enthusiastic. After watching it, I have to say that Blow Out has become my favorite De Palma film (so far) and one of the best thrillers ever made. When a B-movie sound recorder is requested to record new sounds, he goes out and start recording. While he is there, a car is going through a bridge and suddenly its tire explodes and the car goes down to the river. The sound recorder goes to the river and rescues a girl. When they go to the hospital, he discovers that she was with an important candidate to the presidency. He died in the accident and the police advises him to forget the girl and forget about this whole thing. When he is hearing the recordings he hears a gun and is convinced that this was no accident. He contacts the girl and together they tried to uncover the mystery while avoiding a killer who is behind all this complot. Blow Out is a very well constructed film that elevates the tension in every scene. John Travolta and Nancy Allen are great in the lead roles and John Lithgow is superb as the murderous conspirator. The movie is also fascinating as it uses the mechanics of filmmaking to uncover the complot. Many scenes are memorable especially the 4th of July scene which is amazingly well staged. The final scene is unexpected and shocking at the same time, you'll never guess what happens. Blow Out is a great movie that will maintain you at the edge of your seat all the time. Video & Audio Blow Out comes to BD courtesy of Criterion and the results are amazing. Detail is strong, contrast is sharp and color reproduction is well done. I didn't notice any signs of print damage, aliasing, edge enhacement or any other anomaly. Even better, a fine layer of grain has been maintained and there are no signs of DNR. A spectacular transfer. The 2.0 DTS-HD MA is also great with astounding clarity and no signs of hiss. Dialogue is always clear as are the effects and the music. Bonus Features There is plenty of bonus material in this set that is sure to delight all fans: The best one is an hour long interview with Brian De Palma by Noah Baumbach. It deals with the production of Blow Out and De Palma shares some light about some decisions in certain scenes, casting choices and more. It's a must see feature. Then you have newly recorded interviews with cameraman and steady cam creator Garret Brown and actress Nancy Allen. Both are very enlightening. Then you have a still photographs gallery by Louis Goldman. One of the best features is De Palma's experimental second film Murder a la Mod, it is presented in full HD and deserves at least one viewing. Last you have the original theatrical trailer. A booklet is also included that features a new essay by critic Michael Sragow and the great original interview by Pauline Kael. Closing Thoughts Blow Out was a very pleasant susprise and one of the best thrillers I've seen. It keeps you interested and has a likeable cast that you care about. This Criterion BD set is amazing as well with terrific picture and sound and lots of great bonus material. Highly Recommended for lovers of suspense and good movies in general.

ITS A FANTASTIC MOVIE. THE CLARITY AND SOUND IF THE DVD IS AWESOME....

One of those olfies that even now has its moments. John Travolta would not have been my first choice, but he is more than just okay. And the movie has lots of nice surprises to make you want to watch it through. The end is weak though, very weak.

A brilliant film showing some of the characteristic DePalma directorial touches that persist in his later films. This one is a real time capsule - a style and theme evocative of the era. Travolta and Nancy Allen are (again) excellent together and the supporting cast features the usual quirky, seedy characters that always seem to show up. Really interesting that this movie is “about” movies in some way - how they were made at the time and that too makes for very interesting elements. The Criterion collection is as always beautifully presented with lots of interesting features. Highly recommend!