Blow Out (1981)

Watch

Music credits

• The Blow Out Soundtrack - Pino Donaggio
• "A Good Scream" - Joohyun Park, Elizabeth Hedman

Links & resources

• Buy Blow Out on DVD (opens in a new tab)
• Buy The Conversation on DVD (opens in a new tab)
• Buy Blow Up on DVD (opens in a new tab)
• Listen to our episode on Phantom of the Paradise (opens in a new tab)
• Visit the De Palma A La Mod fan site (opens in a new tab)
• Learn more about the weSPARK Cancer Support Center (opens in a new tab)
• Read Bill Mesce's Sight on Sound column (opens in a new tab)
• Buy Bill Mesce's Overkill: The Rise And Fall of Thriller Cinema (opens in a new tab)

Related episodes

Episodes that share keywords with this one.

▶

Special Report · Oct 31, 2021

Carrie (1976)

Shared: Nancy Allen, Jamey Duvall, Brian DePalma

Joseph Aisenberg, Nancy Allen, William Katt, Piper Laurie and others

▶

Episode 616 · Mar 3, 2023

Super Mario Bros. (1993)

Shared: Fred Caruso

Jeff Ryan, Jim Jennewein, Tom S. Parker, Fred Caruso and others

▶

Episode 371 · Jul 3, 2018

Scarecrow (1973)

Shared: Movie Geeks United, Jamey Duvall

Jerry Schatzberg, Garry Michael White, Bill Ackerman, Jamey Duvall

▶

Episode 344 · Oct 10, 2017

The Tenant (1976)

Shared: Movie Geeks United, Jamey Duvall

Alex Winter, Jamey Duvall

▶

Episode 325 · Jun 1, 2017

One-Eyed Jacks (1961)

Shared: Movie Geeks United, Jamey Duvall

Toby Roan, Paul Zimmerman, Jamey Duvall

▶

Episode 255 · Jan 26, 2016

Hudson Hawk (1991)

Shared: Movie Geeks United, Jamey Duvall

Daniel Waters, Stephen Scarlata, Jamey Duvall

Comments (5)

1. Frank F November 14, 2013

   Thanks again for a wonderful podcast. The insights from all of your guests gave great details as to how this film was developed, shot, and the critical reaction upon release. I was suprised to learn that this film did not do well B.O. wise. I remember it coming out in New York, the excellent reviews for Travolta and Lithgow, I had assumed it was yet another Travolta hit. Keep up the good work!
   1. Rob St. Mary November 14, 2013

      Frank, Thanks so much! Glad you liked it. Thanks for leaving a comment. Please pass it along to others, let other films fans know about the show who might also enjoy it. ALL THE BEST! Rob St. Mary co-host of "The Projection Booth"
   2. Mike White November 14, 2013

      Frank! Thanks so much for your donation! We appreciate your generosity!
2. Anonymous November 16, 2013

   Great job as always. I had the pleasure of playing this movie at the twin screen theatre I worked at as a projectionist in the late 70s to early 80s. I believe the main reason the movie didn't do well is the studio either didn't know how to advertise it or had no faith in the project. This was one of the very few mainstream movies that we didn't get a one-sheet for and I honestly don't remember playing a trailer for this movie. I can't imagine a pan and scan version of this film. The opening title sequence with the words moving back and forth must have looked like a nightmare.
3. Anonymous January 6, 2020

   Jack Terry’s tragic arc reminded me a lot of Jake Gittes from Chinatown. Both characters used to be in law enforcement until some tragic event where they failed to save somebody. Now they both work in professions that require them to utilize their skills but not their empathy. Suddenly they’re both uncovering a larger conspiracy where they meet a love interest who they try to save by the end but fail similarly to how they failed before. This leaves them even more jaded and cynical than they were at the beginning. I’m not sure if De Palma was perhaps influenced by Chinatown or if he just happened to have a similar idea. Side Note: I’m curious what Mike thinks of De Palma’s film Passion. That’s a movie that has a female lead character who we empathize with. I don’t think De Palma has ever been misogynistic the same way I don’t think Tarantino has never been either.