Synanon Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.5
Audio		5.0
Extras		0.5
Overall		4.0

Synanon Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov October 30, 2024

Richard Quine's "Synanon" a.k.a. "Get Off My Back" (1965) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Imprint Films. The only supplemental feature on the release is a vintage trailer for the film. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-Free.

You have me.

Synanon was always a bad idea. Perhaps its founder, Charles Dederich Sr., a recovered alcoholic, went through a period when he genuinely believed that a cultist community like Synanon could help all types of different addicts rebuild their lives, but the more one scrutinizes his life, the easier it becomes to discard such a possibility. More importantly, anyone who has had a lengthy experience with addicts, especially drug addicts, knows that a substantial portion of them do not wish to be helped. This is a cruel truth, but also an ancient truth. Many of these suicidal addicts have a tough time coexisting with other suicidal addicts because the dependence on their favorite fix overpowers all of their thoughts, feelings, and emotions, so if denied a fix, they become dangerous. In other words, having some of them coexist in a cultist community was always a genuinely bad idea.

But in the late 1950s, when Dederich Sr. founded Synanon, a rehabilitation center for addicts in Santa Monica, apparently numerous influential people bought what he was selling. What was he selling exactly? According to Richard Quine’s film, in the beginning, it was hope, coupled with discipline that would have made it possible for addicts to get unhooked from their favorite fix and rebuild their lives. Some of the influential people were local senators who liked Dederich Sr.’s plan to have multiple Synanon locations throughout the country, too.

In Quine’s film, the majority of the addicts have a history with heroin. At the Santa Monica location, they are closely monitored by Reid Kimble (Richard Conte) and Betty Coleman (Eartha Kitt), who are veteran addicts with a seemingly impeccable knowledge of the tricks weak and suicidal addicts use to get a fix. Their boss (Edmond O’Brien) trusts them, but he is already too busy dealing with legal problems that can send him to prison. (This is an important detail because Quine’s film does not show the establishment of Synanon. It begins sometime after Synanon has already gained popularity and various influential people have become uncomfortable with its creator’s business practices).

The policies that make Synanon function as intended are gradually revealed after the arrival of Zankie Albo (Alex Cord), a hardcore addict with a criminal record who has hit rock bottom. As Albo learns what is expected of him while coexisting with other addicts who call Synanon home, Joaney Adamic (Stella Stevens), a single mother, begins falling in love with him, and Ben (Chuck Connors), an old prison acquaintance, reveals a willingness to help him get back on his feet. However, the strict policies quickly awaken the rebel in Albo and shortly after his powerful addiction brings him on the verge of a serious nervous breakdown.

Quine directs an excellent cast with confidence that produces great results, but his film has an unmissable flaw that makes it incredibly easy to critique. The flaw is its dated, seriously compromised message, which is that in a community of addicts, some recovered and some recovering, peer pressure is a force that can guarantee success. As depicted in the film, Synanon is only slightly friendlier and more flexible than Loveland, where a delusional elderly hippie rules with an iron fist. So, what would have prevented Synanon from evolving into a dangerous cult like Loveland? (This is a rhetorical question. In the years after the film’s release, Synanon became one of America’s most dangerous cults and was eventually shut down).

But if seen and examined strictly as a time capsule, not a relevant truth-teller, Quine’s film deserves to be praised. It sees addicts as vulnerable people, which they are, and some of them as fighters willing to reform if given something to believe in. Synanon is not it, but true love is and always has been a great option.

Synanon Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in an aspect ratio of 1.78:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Synanon arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Imprint Films.

If I had to guess, I would say that the master used to produce this release was prepared around the same time the many films in the Columbia Noir collection were redone. While it could produce slightly more attractive visuals, it is very, very good. In fact, I will go on record and state that if in the future Sony prepares a new 4K master, the main improvement on it will be the slightly better exposed grain, which on this master feels just a tiny bit overexposed. However, I like this look quite a lot. The rest ranges from very good to near excellent. For example, delineation and depth remain pleasing throughout the entire film. Clarity is great, too. A few darker areas should have slightly better darker nuances, but I did not see distracting crushing. Image stability is excellent. I noticed a few nicks, but there are no large cuts, debris, warped or torn frames to report. (Note: This is a Region-Free Blu-ray release. Therefore, you will be able to play it on your player regardless of your geographical location).

Synanon Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There is only one standard audio track on this Blu-ray release: English LPCM 2.0. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided for the main feature.

The lossless track is excellent. I had the volume of my system turned up quite a bit and did not notice any age-related anomalies to report in our review. Dynamic intensity is good, or at least for a film from the early 1960s. However, Synanon does not have footage with diverse action material, so there is more in terms of interesting nuances.

Synanon Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Trailer - presented here is a vintage trailer for Synanon. In English, not subtitled. (2 min).

Synanon Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Hardcore addicts, which are some of the most desperate and seriously broken people, are among the easiest to manipulate and abuse, so it is hardly surprising that they fell for Charles Dederich Sr.'s lies. Was he always a dangerous chameleon telling lies? Richard Quine's film does not see him as one, which is its biggest flaw because his creation, Synanon, was destined to evolve into a cult and self-destruct. For this reason, Quine's film is easy to dismiss as a relevant truth-teller, but I think that it is a wonderful time capsule. It has a sensational cast, too. Imprint Films' Blu-ray release is sourced from an older but lovely organic master supplied by Sony Pictures, and is Region-Free. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.