Man on Fire (1987 film)
| Man on Fire | |
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| Directed by | Elie Chouraqui |
| Produced by | Arnon Milchan |
| Written by | Elie Chouraqui Sergio Donati |
| Narrated by | Scott Glenn |
| Starring | Scott Glenn Joe Pesci Jade Malle |
| Music by | John Scott |
| Cinematography | Gerry Fisher |
| Editing by | Noëlle Boisson |
| Studio | Acteurs Auteurs Associés (AAA) |
| Distributed by | TriStar Pictures |
| Release date(s) | 4 September 1987 |
| Running time | 92 minutes |
| Country | France/Italy |
| Language | English |
| Box office | $519,596 (USA) |
Man on Fire (Italian: Un uomo sotto tiro) is a 1987 French-Italian film based on the 1980 novel of the same name by A. J. Quinnell. It stars Scott Glenn and Joe Pesci. Another film based on the same novel was filmed in 2004.
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[edit] Plot
In Italy, wealthy families often hire bodyguards to protect family members from the threat of kidnapping. A wealthy family that needs a bodyguard hires a burned-out ex-CIA agent to protect their daughter, Samantha "Sam" Balletto. The ex-CIA agent, John Creasy, has been broken down from all of the death and horror of combat he witnessed in the Vietnam War and in Beirut, Lebanon. Although Creasy is not interested in being a bodyguard, especially to a twelve year old youngster, he accepts the assignment because he has no better job offers.
Creasy barely tolerates the precocious child and her pestering questions about him and his life. But slowly, she chips away at his seemingly impenetrable exterior, his defenses drop, and he opens up to her. They become friends and he replaces her parents in their absences, giving her advice, guidance and help with track. Creasy's life is shattered when Sam is kidnapped. Despite being seriously wounded during the kidnapping, Creasy vows her safe return, and vows vengeance on the kidnappers.
[edit] Cast
- Scott Glenn as John Creasy
- Joe Pesci as David
- Danny Aiello as Conti
- Jade Malle as Samantha "Sam" Balletto
- Jonathan Pryce as Michael
- Brooke Adams as Jane Balletto
- Paul Shenar as Ettore Balletto
[edit] Production
The film was originally to have Tony Scott direct, but price became an issue and Elie Chouraqui replaced Scott,[citation needed] who would later go on to direct the 2004 version with Denzel Washington as Creasy.
Filming took place in Italy, notably Lombardy and Lazio.[citation needed] The screenplay underwent several revisions.[1] It was released 9 October 1987.[citation needed]
At one point, when A. J. Quinnell read the film script, he inquired about a line that was different from the book's text. The writers of the script responded, "You mean, there's a book...?"[1]
[edit] Reception
According to the Times of Malta obituary of A. J. Quinnell, he and the cinema-going public were not satisfied with the film.[1] Quinnell was much happier with the 2004 version of his novel, which was a major box office success.
[edit] References
- ^ a b c "Social and Personal Obituaries." (Archive) Times of Malta. Thursday 14 July 2005. Retrieved on 28 March 2011.
