Man on Fire (1987)

77% of users liked it
(10,104 ratings)

An agent newly retired from the CIA (Scott Glenn) agrees to become an Italian businessman's bodyguard in this adventure film. Things fall apart though, when terrorists kidnap the Italian's daughter and the agent must rescue her. ~ John Bush, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 32 min.
Directed By: Elie Chouraqui
Genres: Drama, Action & Adventure, Mystery & Suspense

On DVD: Feb 9, 2005
Studio: Vestron Video

Critic Reviews

James Plath, Movie Metropolis
Man on Fire works as a bloody popcorn movie, but it isn't deep enough or original enough to be much more than that.

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Featured Audience Ratings

Cassandra M

I thought that the Scott Glenn movie doesn't go into the book as much as the denzel Washington remake but I found Scott Glenn character more in line with the books character and was more similar than denzel. I know it is just a movie but I would have thought that the movie could… More
I thought that the Scott Glenn movie doesn't go into the book as much as the denzel Washington remake but I found Scott Glenn character more in line with the books character and was more similar than denzel. I know it is just a movie but I would have thought that the movie could have been better if they done it like the book as the remake (denzel) twisted certain elements and since it spawned a series of novels with greasy moving on and getting into more conflicts I thought that there could have been another series of films rather than the one off that was done though they can still do another film as nothing is impossible. If you haven't read the book the film is based on then I suggest that you read it as there is more depth to the character and some background story to it. I think that I had read the book after seeing the film starring Scott Glenn as I had never heard of the author before reading the book man on fire. The Scott Glenn movie may be a little dated as for the time that it was made but there is good value with the amount of stars that are in the movie and if you liked the remake it will be worth a look at the original as the book is set in Italy and this original movie is as well and I still feel that denzel Washington is too young for to play the character as he is an ex-legionnaire and had served in the army for decades. I do like the remake but it could have done without the words coming up on the screen at certain points of the film and I would have loved it if he done what greasy had done in the book as he started at the little guys that carried out the actual kidnapping then ended up going after the top man in the mafia.
Michael G

I would've really liked it if Tony Scott would lay off the drugs and quit repeating things. Once Denzel Washington went on the warpath it got good. But it was a case of too little too late.
Deb S

This heart-wrenching story is a MUST SEE! Filled with violence and revenge. Not for little kids to look at. A little gory but well worth the admission

Cast

            Scott Glenn as Creasy

            Brooke Adams as Jane Balletto

            Jade Malle as Samantha "Sam" Balletto

            Danny Aiello as Conti

            Joe Pesci as David

            Paul Shenar as Ettore Balletto

            Laura Morante as Julia David's Wife

            Alessandro Haber as Sandri

            Franco Trevisi as Rabbia

            Manfredi Aliquo as Policeman

            Lou Castel as Violente

            Giuseppe Cederna as Snake

            Angela Finocchiaro as Foot Race Pro

            Inigo Lezzi as Bellu

            Giovanni Mauriello as Elio

            Anna Papa as Claudio

            Lorenzo Piani as Bruno

            Giancarlo Prati as Satta

            Jonathan Pryce as Michael

            Giovanni Visentin as Marco

            Anita Zagaria as Conti's Wife

            Piero Vida as Kidnapper

            Henri-Charles Alexandre as Young Killer

            James Bradell as School Guard

            Fabio Bussotti as Policeman

            Anna Guerrieri as Nurse

            Alexanre Lopez as Man in Street

            Martine Malle as Prostitute

            Luigi Mezzanotte as Kidnapper

            Lucas Orlandini as Boy at Party

            Leonardo Petrillo as Policeman

            Antonio Petrocelli as Policeman

            Antoine Reb as Man in Porno Theater

            Enrica Rosso as Maria

            Marie Sellers as Prostitute

            Allesandro Spadorcia as Man in Street

            Frederica Tatulli as Elio's Wife

            Barbara Claman
            
See full cast