Written and directed by Brian De Palma, a movie sound recordist accidentally records the evidence that proves that a car accident was actually murder and consequently finds himself in danger. Starring: John Travolta, Nancy Allen, John Lithgow, Dennis Franz, Peter Boyden and Curt May.

Opening Blow Out with the filming of a slasher movie, that’s good enough to be an actual slasher, was a brilliant move from Brian De Palma. It makes you unable to set your expectations, it keeps you waiting, while also adding in a feel of violence and the air of a watchful eye. Arguably, this is the film that plays best to all of De Palma’s strengths, there’s conspiracy, sex, lies, obsession and a touch of sleaze. Yet none of it goes overboard, it hits the perfect notes all throughout the film to create a satisfying mystery.

The biggest element of its success is never overplaying the conspiracy, it grows in such an excellent, natural manner, there’s no giant reveal being held for the last minute but it’s also not giving you too much information along the way. It doesn’t try to force the importance of it, it’s not this widespread, national web of lies, it’s nicely contained. De Palma keeps the characters to a minimum, letting all the key players get their moment but having no need for a hefty number of extra threads.

Another part of why that works is the level of obsession we get from John Travolta’s Jack. He’s undoubtedly committed to finding the truth but he’s not throwing himself on the flames, he’s logical and reasonable. There’s a passion and fire within him but he’s also funny and sweet, Travolta does a wonderful job of giving Jack such a compelling, enjoyable personality. He’s supported superbly by Nancy Allen as Sally, she’s helping to hit those comedy notes, their chemistry is unusual but strong, she’s a little bit ditzy yet independent. Then adding in a ruthless, cold and calculated John Lithgow, who is born for that role, and it’s the ideal trio.

Not only does De Palma hit the right notes for tone and atmosphere, the visual itself is effortlessly strong. It’s not removing itself from the everyday but it’s adding in plenty of style and personality. Its night scenes in particular are so well shot, and supported by the 4K restoration, enhancing the work of cinematographer Vilmos Zsigmond. Then what really rounds things out is the score from Pino Donaggio, it almost has the feel of giallo, it’s theatrical and imposing. The way the piece of the pivotal scene of its finale builds and grows is beautiful.

Blow Out is perhaps Brian De Palma’s best film to date and John Travolta’s best performance, or at least it gives Pulp Fiction’s Vincent Vega a run for his money. It’s tense yet funny, suspenseful yet not too heavy, mysterious but easy to follow. The direction is fantastic, it’s supported by superb cinematography and a strong score. If nothing else De Palma should get a lot of credit for bringing sex and violence into the heart of this film without it feeling too cheesy, seedy or exploitative, something he hasn’t always nailed on the head.

Verdict: ✯✯✯✯½ | 9/10

New 4K Digital Restoration releasing as part of the Criterion Collection on 22 July

Special Features include:
New 4K digital restoration, with 2.0 surround DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack
One 4K UHD disc of the film presented in Dolby Vision HDR and one Blu-ray with the film and special features
Interview with director Brian De Palma, conducted by filmmaker Noah Baumbach
Interview with actor Nancy Allen
Murder à la Mod, a 1967 feature by De Palma
Interview with cameraman Garrett Brown on the Steadicam shots featured in the film within Blow Out
On-set photographs by Louis Goldman
Trailer
English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
PLUS: An essay by critic Michael Sragow and Pauline Kael’s original New Yorker review of the film