Criterion Collection Releases Boorman's Revenge Thriller 'Point Blank'

Lee Marvin stars as an implacable criminal seeking vengeance in the 1967 neo-noir classic.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 8:51pm by

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An abstract close-up image of shattered glass reflecting a faint red light, conveying the film's cool, detached aesthetic and the underlying violence of the story.The icy visual style of 'Point Blank' creates a sense of distance between the audience and the protagonist's primal quest for revenge.San Francisco Today

The Criterion Collection is releasing a 4K restoration of John Boorman's 1967 crime thriller 'Point Blank,' starring Lee Marvin as Walker, a criminal who is double-crossed and left for dead after a heist at Alcatraz. The film is known for its icy, detached style that keeps the audience at a distance from the protagonist's primal emotions of revenge.

Why it matters

As one of the best revenge movies ever made, 'Point Blank' subverts typical genre tropes by refusing to invite the audience to empathize with the protagonist. Boorman's bold, unnerving approach creates a unique viewing experience that has cemented the film's status as a neo-noir classic.

The details

In the film, Marvin plays Walker, a criminal who is betrayed by his partner Mal Reese (John Vernon) after a heist at the abandoned Alcatraz prison in San Francisco Bay. Reese takes Walker's $93,000 share of the loot and convinces Walker's wife Lynne (Sharon Acker) to abandon her apparently dying husband. Walker survives, however, and embarks on a ruthless quest for vengeance against those who wronged him.

  • The film was released in 1967.
  • The Criterion Collection is releasing a 4K restoration of 'Point Blank' on April 21, 2026.

The players

John Boorman

The British-born director of 'Point Blank,' who turned 93 in 2026 and made the film as his first Hollywood production.

Lee Marvin

The veteran actor who stars as the implacable criminal Walker in 'Point Blank.'

John Vernon

The actor who plays Mal Reese, Walker's partner who betrays him in the film.

Sharon Acker

The actress who plays Lynne, Walker's wife who is persuaded to abandon him by Reese.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“In most movies in which a character is driven by revenge, the viewer is invited to share in that primal emotion. It is not difficult to empathize with someone who has been wronged, or to root for him or her when reprisals are made. Yet one of the best of all revenge movies declines to make its protagonist available for easy audience identification.”

— Peter Tonguette, Author

The takeaway

By taking a detached, icy approach to its revenge narrative, 'Point Blank' stands out as a unique and influential entry in the crime thriller genre, cementing its status as a neo-noir classic that continues to captivate audiences decades later.