Siskel & Ebert Review Blow Out (1981) Brian De Palma

DISCLAIMER: I do not own any of the footage I used. Copyrights belong to their respective owners. This video is covered by "fair use".

[@JasonBagherian]

I first watched Blow Out in 1999 and it's direction and cinematography blows me away every time I see it. Brian De Palma is the only film maker that really uses Hitchcock's film language. I think Blow Out has to be in my top 5 favorite films ever made.

[@williamwalsh3983]

I agree with everything you wrote. You can add Femme Fatale, truly remarkable work by DePalma as well.

[@charlos8626]

“It’s a good scream, it’s a good scream”

[@yeaboy707]

Really is a masterpiece

[@commercialzone4141]

It’s one of Tarantino’s favorites as well. A DePalma masterpiece teaming up John Travolta and Nancy Allen after another DePalma gem Carrie.

[@danandersen813]

G HEN I.BE SAT DIVT DIG MED NUL FORBRYDERALLBUM FRA U THAR DU DET SJÖ

[@knownpleasures]

It’s John travoltas best dramatic performance in a movie

[@subliminalvibes]

Tarantino agrees! 👍😎 kzbin.info/www/bejne/jYawi2l5hbFsns0

[@lperry7289]

Urban Cowboy mmmmm

[@danandersen813]

s over?hen dette mareridt ihe4 grund cany t jeg skriver fortæl mig weless hvad er tvie i 4Kine klippe ud fOblyoure så tast

[@ivebeenaround58]

Did anyone notice how great the musical score of BLOW OUT is? I think it compliments the mood of the movie very well. Kudos to the film's musical composer.

[@Daniel-sh3os]

It isn't the same movie without it. I can't just imagine the movie without it.

[@richardstevens8839]

Pino Donaggio - his debut score was on ‘Don’t look now’ 1973

[@billlozier5551]

I have the soundtrack of BLOWOUT. Simply awesome.

[@danandersen813]

TLE PARANOIDIT da LBEGGE

[@billlozier5551]

BLOWOUT is on the list of the Greatest movies nobody has seen. Simply awesome. The ending and final scream is a bute. "Good scream, good scream".😢

[@danandersen813]

v til at skrive nioget?you have lorfør skal dOhv

[@danandersen813]

reeb.gnalige skrifter latteubg så vil de skrive at jeg skal smiudes ud for u tUbe oenne ap herog rodet er ikke af mig, men til at skrives af u t

[@billlozier5551]

@@danandersen813 ditto

[@RoeLuv1]

As a Philly guy it’s cool to see parts of the city and how it’s changed

[@markrobinson9394]

The saddest scene wasn't Sally's death. It was Jack having to relive her terrifying scream over and over in his head. He's achieved what he set out to do in the beginning of the film by finding the perfect scream, but the cost is so high that he's lost his soul as a result.

[@Fiveash-Art]

I was laughing ... I felt nothing for any of the characters. Total cornball and really unconvincing.

[@SmartCookie2022]

True, but Jack was really guilty of using Sally and putting her in harm's way so he could uncover the truth about what happened that night. Maybe he deserves it. Also, he didn't have to submit her scream for cinematic use. Basically, Jack has exploited Sally twice!!

[@Studeb]

I still think the death is sadder than him shivering when he reuses a sound effect.

[@edkeaton]

Hearing Sally's scream over and over in Jack's head and on the film that it was used for, is an emotional pain that will forever haunt him for the rest of his life. I loved the movie, but the ending was very cold and downbeat.

[@billlozier5551]

​@@Fiveash-Artyour comment is so stupid it's laughable...even Quentin Tarantino said it is one of his all time favorite movies. You gotta stop doing crack. 🤣

[@khaimang4]

In my original comment, let's not forget the unforgettable music score by Pino Donaggio. As in most movies, it's the music that makes the mood.

[@ivebeenaround58]

I'm glad to know someone besides me noticed how great the film's score is. Perfectly fits the movie's mood.

[@danandersen813]

E FOR AT KONTROLLERE MRITES DETTE RØR WDU

[@mattbenzing]

Saw this on opening day, agree that it is Travoltas best work. That ending!

[@edkeaton]

"Blow Out" is one of my favorite films of Brian De Palma's and the performances of both John Travolta and Nancy Allen were absolutely riveting. Travolta's performance in this film was hailed by director Quentin Tarantino as genius, which led to him casting Travolta in "Pulp Fiction" years later.

[@bryanmoynihan2480]

Watched for the first time this morning

[@mantra4612]

I saw it for the first time yesterday. It's one of my favorite movies now.

[@danandersen813]

SHIT NOBRAINSTUM

[@danandersen813]

OPU HAR IKKE HJERNE YNEJ

[@johnp1277]

One of my favorite thrillers of all time.... I cried at the end, and that almost never happens with me, but I felt so invested in the charactors, that when Travolta chased down the killer and sees what the outcome was...it was just so f***ing sad...Brian Depalma is a genius. I loved this movie and recommended it to everyone I knew after see it in the theater back in 1981 when it came out.

[@reelramon1014]

Upon watching the Siskel/Ebert review again, I'm stunned by the fact that the clip they showed is the ending of the movie. As spoilers go, this was unforgiveable.

[@65g4]

Totally agree you never do that with a review. I think they got better over time and didnt give away endings like that again.

[@SagaSagaVGM]

This isn't how the original episode/review aired, for whatever reason the uploader put the climax throughout the clip. The actual review only has the "final shot... saddest scene" quote from Gene Siskel. watch?v=CxA9QTLbl8o

[@andyvanvlierberghe5389]

This is the era before the youtube bullshit phrase:"spoilers ahead!". My spoiler: A movie is much more then the plot.

[@billlozier5551]

That ending was not in their show. That was added by the editor Jason B.of this KZbin video.😊

[@jeanfrankel9551]

Siskel & Ebert NEVER did that.

[@Nasenschnuckel]

people always mention dressed to kill or scarface. but this movie here is my favourite one of all his films.

[@johnfitzpatrick3094]

I've got the Criterion Blu-Ray. I also saw it at Ebertfest in 2016.

[@JasonBagherian]

I have the Criterion Blu Ray too and the Arrow version as I'm in the UK. I would love to see any of Brian De Palma's films on the big screen.

[@johnfitzpatrick3094]

@@JasonBagherian It's great on the big screen.

[@JasonBagherian]

@@johnfitzpatrick3094 Hopefully one day I can see it on the big screen.

[@michaelperkowski641]

@@JasonBagherian I saw a couple of his films on the big screen Blow Out was one of them.

[@65g4]

I just bought the criterion i think its a masterpiece

[@santafejboy2]

Back when movies were a spectacle and filmmaking a high craft. I'll have to watch it!

[@evo2542]

Guess you haven't seen Bladerunner 2049 or Dune or Mad Max Fury Road or or or or etc

[@larrydanadavid2435]

@@evo2542 He’s right, today’s filmmaking cannot stand up to the past. Just like music.

[@santafejboy2]

@@evo2542 Nope. I’m not a sci-fi fan

[@Fiveash-Art]

@@evo2542 Fury Road was great ... the other two you mentioned are cold, pretentious crap.

[@danandersen813]

???????. TVEREKKJ SEVA HELLI VGEJTE D ERER H IRO TR DIN KÆFT SIGER YOU TUBESIGER JEG INYTET MÅ SKRIVEEL. HOLDE

[@trentkelsey4730]

Why did they spoil the ending in the beginning of their review?

[@hillsane9262]

Yes! Just because the movie has been around for so long does not mean everyone has seen it. This person should have put in spoilers and ending in the title!

[@timothyivey5497]

Gee, spoilers much?

[@khaimang4]

I first saw this movie when it was first released. De Palma has always been one of my favorite directors and film writers. This movie is a 'true' classic gem. Travolta's performance is at the apex of his acting career (especially, when you consider that he was relatively inexperienced as a film actor at the time). What I like to see in any actor is 'believability'. Travolta delivers that in spades in this movie. Also, Lithgow's performance is both scary and mesmerizing. But, while we're throwing out kudos for acting performances, I've noticed in many of the reviews that I've read. very little is being said about Nancy Allen's performance. Basically, her character is the continuing gel that connects all of these characters. Her portrayal of this seemingly 'street-wise', but [maybe] not-too-bright character should not go without mention. What a helluva scream at the end, eh? Conclusion: if you have a collection of classic [modern] film noir movies, this one should be well within your grasp at all times...

[@wolfcorpse]

She was the weakest in the film imo but yeah the scream was great

[@edoblaauw4561]

I would say spoilers in the title since you give the ending a way in the video. Also for me. Which isn’t what you expect when you watch a review of Siskel and Ebert. I saw it today knowing what would happen. Great movie btw.

[@patrickcondon1]

thank you so much for the upload. one of my top 10 favorite movies.. a masterpiece

[@TimSPC]

2:45. Watch the guy under the bridge climb away after Travolta jumps into the water.

[@twstf8905]

Wow, this video quality is actually surprisingly impressive lol well done, mate. 👍 (Whatever you did.)

[@olivierkepo]

Just watched it and I’m blown away by the screenplay, it’s near perfect both in terms of plot and story. Great casting, acting, score and sound design too.

[@reelramon1014]

When I originally saw Dressed to Kill, I said (of de Palma): this guy is so good he could go beyond pulpy thrillers and make a really great movie. Then came Blow Out, and it was that great movie I hoped for.

[@Jeckxdeel]

Totally agree!

[@Fiveash-Art]

Another 'pulpy thriller' , just more pretentious ... This movie is overrated as hell. Nice visuals, great score, but I was bored.

[@Jeckxdeel]

@@Fiveash-Art How can anyone be bored watching BLOW OUT? And this movie is not pretentious at all! Just go to bed, you BIG DORK!

[@VinchenzoC]

Good film that I keep putting off watching again because of the sad scene Gene talks about.

[@alextttttt]

Travolta reeling while holding Allen with the fireworks in the background is pure cinema - just brilliant

[@leegrabelsky2696]

Was this from the actual airing of Siskel n Ebert ?.. Cause much of the movie was presented

[@oldfashionedguy1368]

Nice review Jason, On the subject of Brian De Palma I noticed that Siskel and Ebert never did a television review of his 1992 film Raising Cain, what are your thoughts on that film?

[@JasonBagherian]

Not seen Raising Cain for a long while. I'd have to see it again before making a comment. The re-edited version is supposed to be a far better film. I'll check it out soon.

[@michaelperkowski641]

Blow out is a outstanding thriller by Brain De Palma. I say his best work ever in his filmmaking career. John Travolta performance is spectacular in his role. Nancy Allen is terrific in her role. John Lithgow does a fantastic performance as the villain. A very well crafted film dealing with conspiracy theories and political assassination. The ending of this film is so beautifully emotionally touching by Travolta performance. Blow out is one of the top ten best films of 1981.

[@avanishdutta2658]

The Pino Donnagio score is great too. The end touches the most. You know their relationship was building into love but fate had another plans. That ending especially when he has to hear her scream while it is being played again and again will haunt him and remind him his failure.

[@hillsane9262]

@@avanishdutta2658 I know if was part of the movie to show us the tragedy and his homage, but could or would you immortalize that terrifying and devastating moment? I don't think I could knowing why it was such a good scream.

[@dnasty312]

I was happy to see _Blow Out_ on a marquee in _Joker_

[@hamburgareable]

A very gallant movie, done by the very prolific director who created the 1983 remake of the 1932 gangster flick, Scarface, Brian DePalma. Both the performances by Nancy Allen and John Travolta are good and worth praising too. In the last scene of the movie, Allen´s character is a sacrificial lamb to the killer´s strangulation (masterfuly demonstrated by John Lightgow), so Travolta cant save her from her fate. A close favorite of mine, i must say.

[@subliminalvibes]

Fantastic review from Siskel and Ebert! Thanks for making this available. I agree it's one of DePalma's finest works, and so does Tarantino! kzbin.info/www/bejne/jYawi2l5hbFsns0 I'm in Australia and I've always had the humble Orion Home Video release on widescreen (letterboxed) Laserdisc; so it has a wonderful analogue picture as well as a rich uncompressed PCM stereo surround track too. I've never seen the need to upgrade yet but I hear the digital transfers are respectfully done.

[@scampoli25]

You played the wrong clip at the end. They were talking about the “it’s a good scream” scene

[@tonyroyal8449]

The only critics that always got it right

[@SoulStylistJukeBox]

Always got it right? Look up their review for David Lynch’s Blue Velvet or Walter Hill’s The Warriors. They were often wrong.

[@zoastymusic]

"this video is covered by 'fair use'" lmao this video is only here by the graces of anonymity or siskel and eberts family, not because of fair use

[@TheEleatic]

Did they really show the ending? No one ever accused DePalma of subtlety. The performances in Coppola's The Conversation are far superior. Still, it is an interesting film.

[@Jeckxdeel]

De Palma is a way far better director than Coppola. And BLOW OUT is way far better than THE CONVERSATION! And even if Gene Hackman's acting is good, his character is very slack, painful and boring. THE CONVERSATION is a way too slow moving and very boring movie anyway. It's a knockout thing/sleeping pill! A real slap! A real piece of shit!

[@reneedennis2011]

It's a good movie.

[@Jeckxdeel]

A serious candidate for the title of "number one thriller" all times combined. And one of my favorites all genres/times combined!

[@hamburgareable]

Agreed, Renee. Truly good. Criminally forgotten and underrated as heck.

[@reneedennis2011]

@@hamburgareable I agree.

[@drizzy-us1oh]

Jason, thanks for the upload. But why would you show what Siskel says is the "saddest" scene? Basically, the ending. If you haven't seen the movie skip 7:21 to 7:32 of this video.

[@Mooseman327]

DePalma's made quite a few good films but Carrie and Blow-Out are the best of them.

[@taylor-ruth.]

Sisters

[@stephenulmer3781]

Such a good movie

[@patrickthomas8890]

This movie looks GORGEOUS and is very enjoyable as an early 80s time capsule, but the plot is ridiculous and many scenes are cheesy as hell. I do appreciate the dark ending, as opposed to the everything-somehow-working out-perfectly approach

[@tedbailey3673]

Clips look (and sound!) higher grade than old S and E. Something not right about this....a conspiracy?

[@BG-pd6os]

Lithgow!

[@KarlMarxhaswifi]

They spoil the whole goddamn movie ! Jesus Christ

[@jaygreen6287]

Warning spoiler!!!

[@Nodnarb518]

They showed the whole damn movie in this review lol

[@Noirlore]

Movie slightly overrated, travolta was so stupid just letting her meet this random tv guy at the station

[@alamahony]

Well.I don't need to watch this one anymore.

[@jezzalexander]

Watched it some years back - rewatched just tonight. Solid movie, beautiful and engaging, and a third act that doesn't make any sense whatsoever. The film isn't a political conspiracy doo-dah, it's a serial killer thriller with the conspiracy thing acting as an amuse bouche. Siskel and Ebert should have been spanked - this film is bollox. Entertaining, but bollox.

[@danandersen813]

???????????????????????????????????. Huh?? t filmRea

[@danandersen813]

.t tildele okay adens nriting, fied blabber over min wou uretfærdig Yhad

[@DaLlAs-k29-abFTxmUI51]

Doesn’t hold up.

[@danandersen813]

MÅ HELLERE SIOGE HVORTNÅRT JHJEG MPÅ SKRIVE? Jeg

[@StephNuggs]

Thanks for the spoiler. God dammit

[@GoldwaterB]

Just saw it, and thought it was a real disappointment. Travolta and Lithgow were very good and the premise was initially solid, but -- ===SPOILERS=== I was with the movie until the last act where it fell apart for me. I thought Burke would have had opportunities to kill Sally before taking her to a rooftop. She seemed to believe anything he told her. Surely there was an empty woman's restroom on their way, at least. I mean, if he could find one at Grand Central Station... ya know? There are just too many contrivances like that. For instance, right at the beginning is the absurdity that Burke would plan to shoot the tires of a car, without knowing for certain if the car would actually travel that route; anything could have re-routed that travel plan. How could Burke have possibly erased all of Jack's tapes? It looked like hours and hours of tapes in those boxes, if he threaded each one onto a recording deck. Or did he just happen to have a magnetometer with him? That would still take time just to erase one reel. And after "erasing" them, he politely put them back in their boxes? 🙄 And a local talk-show host contacts Jack about an interview; all well and good. But Burke arranges to meet with Sally -- wha??? He's impersonating a guy who's a LOCAL TALK-SHOW HOST! Which means Sally could have immediately seen he was an imposter, for all he knew. Saying that he's a "psycho" just doesn't cut it for me and makes things way too convenient for the story. Jack's recuperative powers are quite a Phenomenon (reference intended) after his car accident and black-out. Not to mention the earpiece still embedded in his ear. Simply amazing. Not to mention, the whole Karp-Sally scene in his hotel room seemed poorly written.

[@hillsane9262]

Space is a vacuum and there is no sound like in all those movies. How are people walking on the floor in spaceships as if they are on the ocean? How could Custer act show arrogantly when he could have easily reconnoitered before splitting his command? Why did he not listen to some of his scouts?

[@GoldwaterB]

@@hillsane9262 What are you talking about, and what does it have to do with my comment?

[@hillsane9262]

@@GoldwaterB You imply that good movies make sense or have characters that make wise decisions. People in real life don't make sense or make wide decision even at times when it would be easy to do so! Every space movie almost always uses sound, even the ones, that are supposed to be realistic, when there is no sound in a vacuum. There is always someone that likes to point that out.

[@GoldwaterB]

@@hillsane9262 A good film sets up its own universe and it must make sense within that universe. Inventing contrivances in order to advance a story is just bad screenwriting.

[@hillsane9262]

@@GoldwaterB Every script, by definition, is a contrivance. They all use plot devices. It's just a matter of how subtle, logical they are, and how naturally or believably they move things along! You are right about the technical stuff but I used to lose myself in that stuff. I then started thinking unless it's a central focus of the movie, like the why or how, I stopped focusing on it! At first her ignorance and naivety were annoying to me, but then I realized it was the reason I wanted her live and somehow they came out on top. Prolonging her struggle, and of course the pivotal scream, worked on me. Of course it's contrived but all movies are. Her trusting nature made it all the more tragic. Yes, he could have killed her anywhere, but that would mean the writers and to do more in a limited timeframe. Also, he needs the body do be discovered or he would not have bothered with the Liberty Bell cut. If he he grabbed her and just stabbed her right away, while tragic, not as much so. In such a place would she have had that scream? Would that have just brought on more attention if not done so carefully? Since it's about a sound man, the scream is a central part of the movie. Also, people are stupid and do stupid things everyday. People kill over slight and unintentional things and go to prison for the rest of their lives. It makes no sense.

[@danandersen813]

UVIDENDE SKRIVEW? SÅ HVORFOR MÅ JEG INYTET ELLER

[@rctubs3593]

Brilliant

[@DatsOKxDatsOK]

10/10! Two thumbs up 👍 👍