A former CIA agent, John Creasy, is hired as a bodyguard for a girl in Italy, who becomes the daughter he never had. When she is abducted, Creasy's fiery rage is unleashed, and despite being... Read allA former CIA agent, John Creasy, is hired as a bodyguard for a girl in Italy, who becomes the daughter he never had. When she is abducted, Creasy's fiery rage is unleashed, and despite being badly wounded, embarks on a bloody revenge spree.A former CIA agent, John Creasy, is hired as a bodyguard for a girl in Italy, who becomes the daughter he never had. When she is abducted, Creasy's fiery rage is unleashed, and despite being badly wounded, embarks on a bloody revenge spree.
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaTony Scott was originally slated to direct. But the studio balked because at the time they felt he was not accomplished enough to pull off the project. He would go on to direct the second adaptation Man on Fire (2004).
- GoofsOne contributor mentioned the name "Lupita". Of course that was Dakota Fanning's character name in Tony Scott's movie. The character in this movie is called "Samantha" or "Sam" played by Jade Malle.
- Quotes
[last title card]
Title Card: "Guys like us ain't got nobody in the world...... but not us, Lenny said." John Steinbeck "Of Mice and Men"
- ConnectionsFeatured in Sven Uslings Bio: Sämsta filmer 2019 Del 1: Plats 20-11 (2020)
- SoundtracksSomeone to Watch Over Me
Words and Music by George Gershwin (as George) and Ira Gershwin
Published by 'WB Music Corp. [us]' All Rights Reserved
The 2004 version of the same story, directed by Tony Scott (originally considered as director of this adaptation) and starring Denzel Washington, Dakota Fanning, and Christopher Walken, may be much better known, but this version offers a well paced, watchable enough (and very rainy) revenge flick, full to the brim with violence. At first it seems as if it will be overly dreary, but it develops humor and heart as the crusty, sullen Creasy and the personable pre- teen girl start hitting it off. Still, it's pretty melodramatic stuff overall, with some decent but rather perfunctory action. The deeply affecting music score by John Scott will make you think you're watching a better movie than you really are.
It is somewhat fun to see the under-rated Glenn join the ranks of cinematic bad asses. For a while, the script allows him to look like a bum, until he begins his bloody mission and decides on a makeover. The excellent supporting cast is a major draw: Pesci, Adams, Shenar, Danny Aiello, Jonathan Pryce, Giancarlo Prati, Lou Castel. Pesci has one offbeat moment where he does an enthusiastic rendition of "Johnny B. Goode", and Aiello is memorable as a snivelling weasel, but the lovely Adams gets barely anything to do here. Young Malle is endearing.
One other major point of interest for viewers may be comparing this film to its 2004 counterpart. At least this one has less fat on the bones and less reliance on show-off stylistics. It's adequate entertainment and runs a trim 93 minutes.
Six out of 10.
- Hey_Sweden
- Jun 16, 2017
- How long is Man on Fire?Powered by Alexa
Details
Box office
- Gross US & Canada
- $519,596
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $258,812
- Oct 11, 1987
- Gross worldwide
- $519,596
- Runtime1 hour 32 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.66 : 1