"A compelling, top-notch film that delivers all the thrills, twists and drama it promises." Louis B Hobson JAM! MOVIES "Think of it: Walken and Rourke in the same movie. That alone is worth the price of a ticket." Eleanor Ringel Gillespie ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION "Violent look at a revenge story tempered with a parallel tale of redemptive love." Michael Elliott MOVIE PARABLES "Unlike the recent comic book adaptation, The Punisher, Creasy doesn’t waste time and when he puts on his avenging wings WATCH OUT because he is going to PUNISH!" Erik Childress EFILMCRITIC.COM "One of the more absorbing and palatable entries in the rather disreputable Death Wish-style self-appointed vigilante sub-genre." Todd McCarthy VARIETY

"This is a dark but wonderfully created picture of friendship and love." Danny Minton BEAUMONT JOURNAL "Rampant with religious symbolism, and fueled by ... vigilante subtext, audiences will be hard-pressed to find another film this year which pushes any of the same hot buttons." Glen Oliver IGN FILMFORCE "Denzel Washington is walking death in Tony Scott's showy but chillingly real revenge film." James Rocchi NETFLIX "Man on Fire awakens a genuine sense of bloodlust in the viewer." Rene Rodriguez MIAMI HERALD "Washington's charisma and Fanning's old-soul charm hoist this revenge film above the rest." E! ONLINE

At A Glance

"I'm recommending Man on Fire for that bold style, its unapologetic comic book story arc, and the great performances from Denzel Washington, Christopher Walken and young Dakota Fanning." ....... Richard Roeper EBERT & ROEPER

Who is A J Quinnnell? That question has been asked since 1980 when Quinnell's first novel "Man On Fire" hit the book stores. So far no-one has discovered his or her identity despite three more novels; "The Perfect Kill", "The Blue Ring" and "Message From Hell". And, as in "Man On Fire" these novels feature CIA counter terrorist John C Creasy". The motion picture rights were snapped up twenty years ago by Aron Milchan, owner and founder of the production company Regency who then made an approach to acclaimed director Tony Scott hoping he would assist with developing the story for the big screen. It wasn't meant to be and Scott, who describes "Man On Fire" as a "Huge emotional roller-coaster ride" passed on the offer and moved on to his next film, the box office smash hit "Top Gun" starring of course, Tom Cruise. Two decades would pass before Scott would sign on as director. Twenty years in which Scott admits "the interest continued unabated." A period filled with many successes yet, according to him, "The project stayed with me all this time. I never really lost sight of it." What was it that drew Scott back the project? That came about in 2003 when producer Lucas Foster came on board at Regency and after 1997 Oscar winning screenwriter Brian Helegeland ["L A Confidential"] had penned a new screenplay. It helped that Lucas and Scott had worked together on the highly successful "Crimson Tide which just happened to star an actor who would prove ideal to play John C Creasy. But before casting took place major changes were instigated to the story. Both the A J Quinnell novel and Brian Helgeland's screenplay had "Man On Fire" set in Italy. Scott and Lucas agreed that the location "and its Mafia protagonists were tired" and "kidnappings had virtually been eliminated in Italy thanks to tough new laws." Their search for a new location would take them to Brazil, Guatemala and Mexico. They settled for Mexico City, because, as Scott reveals, "Kidnapping is a huge business there, very controlled and organized. It's an actual industry." Here in the lucky country we have been spared many of the terrors that cast an ugly shadow over many countries such as terrorism and kidnapping so will our audiences grasp the story of "Man On Fire" which is actually two stories? Scott thinks so. "Even if the audience doesn't know the proceedures and worlds we detail in the film, I think they will find them real," he said. And Scott is quick to recognise that comes from the talented Helgeland. "What Brian did so well was create two stories. The first story, or first half of the film, is about a guy finding his way back into life through this child; the second story is his quest for revenge."
The role of Creasy went to two time Academy Award winner Denzel Washington ["Glory" and Training Day"] who Scott saw as having all the qualities within him to fit the character. "I love Denzel's obsessive quality and his internal darkness. There's a hardness to Denzel that's really interesting." Washington is every bit as convincing playing the alcohol soaked former CIA operative Creasy as he was portraying the corrupt Alonzo Harris in "Training Day". Creasy is hardened, disillusioned and has lost the human skills he needs to cope with life. Until he meet a cute little kid named Pita Ramos. "He is detached, and that's what happens when you kill people for a living," Washington explains. "Creasy is a lost soul who no longer has the ability to love, and through this little girl, he finds himself and reconnects with his soul and life." It's fascinating to watch the interaction between the suicidal Creasy and the kid who melts his heart, bringing life back to him once again. "She's just exploding with possibilty, emotion and curiosity, all the things Creasy has rejected and denied himslef," Washington adds.
So who is this young girl who opens up Creasy? Pita Ramos, played superbly by rising star Dakota Fanning, seen recently starring with Mike Meyers in "The Cat In The Hat". "Dakota is among the most talented actresses I've ever worked with, and she's only nine," says producer Lucas Foster. High praise indeed, coming from the man who found and developed the John Grisham unpublished manuscript into the hit film "The Firm"; brought "Flatliners" to Columbia Pictures and, while working on projects for Scott Rudin ["Little Man Tate", "Clueless", "The Hours" and "The Stepford Wives"], was instrumental in bringing "Rules Of Engagement" to the big screen. "Dakota is uncanny," adds Scott, "she's nine going on 19. She has an instinctual understanding of human nature." And once again, in yet another big budget blockbuster, there is an Australian connection. That comes from actress Rhada Mitchell who plays Pita's mother Lisa. From humble beginnings as Pixie Robinson in "Sugar and Spice" [1988] to the hit television show "Neighbours" [1996-97], Mitchell has gone on to appear in films such as the cult classic "Pitch Black" and the thriller "Phone Booth" performing alongside well known actors such as Anthony LaPaglia, Colin Farrell, Paul Mercurio, Kiefer Sutherland and Vin Diesel.
Finally it's fair to say that Mexico City is as much a star in "Man On Fire" as the superb cast are. "I wanted to make the city a major character," says Scott. "It has a rich cultural history and is full of visual contrasts and architectural richness. It is sensual and beautiful and, at the same time, it's dark and dangerous." The visuals are stunning as are the lengths Scott and director of photography Paul Cameron went to in capturing the kaleidoscope of images that flash across the screen on the four cameras used to shoot in "the oldest, largest and most traffic congested city in North America". An effort Scott says "was all worth it, because the audience will see a contemporay Mexico of extremes, brimming with light, color and extraordinary people." Crew Bytes "Man On Fire" was .......
directed by Tony Scott ["Crimson Tide", "The Fan", "Days Of Thunder", "Enemy Of The State", "Top Gun" and "Spy Game"]; screenplay by Academy Award winner Brian Helgeland ["A Knights Tale", "Payback", "Blood Work", "L.A Confidential" and "Mystic River"]; costume design by Louise Grogley ["Spy Game", "Traffic", "The Limey", "Chariots of Fire", "Bull Durham" and "Stigmata"]; production design by Benjamin Fernandez ["Enemy Of The State", "True Romance", "Conan The Barbarian" and "Gladiator"] and Chris Seagers ["Spy Game", "Captain Corelli's Mandalin", "Johnny English", "Saving Private Ryan" and "The Good Thief"]; edited by Christian Wagner ["Spy Game", "The Fan", "The Last Boy Scout", "MI2", "Face/Off" and "Die Another Day"]; director of photography CLIO Award winner Paul Cameron ["Swordfish", "Gone In Sixty Seconds", "The Last Supper" and "Advice From A Caterpillar"]; original music by Harry Gregson-Williams ["Enemy Of The State", "The Borrowers", "Veronica Guerin", "Phone Booth", "Welcome To The Jungle" and "Shrek 2"]. "Man on Fire" was produced by Aron Milchan ["The King Of Comedy", "Brazil", "War Of The Roses", "Pretty Woman" and "Daredevil"] and Lucas Foster ["Crimson Tide", "Bad Boys", "The Mask Of Zorro", "Michael" and "Dangerous Minds"]. Casting About "Man On Fire " stars .......
Two time Academy Award winner Denzel Washington ["Glory", "Crimson Tide", "Philadelphia", "Remember The Titans", "Training Day" and "Out Of Time"]; Grammy Award winner Marc Anthony ["Bringing Out The Dead", "Big Night", "Hackers" and "The Substitute"]; Radha Mitchell ["Everything Put Together", "Dead Heat", "Nobody's Baby", "High Art", "Pitch Black" and "Phone Booth"]; Academy Award winner Christopher Walken ["The Deer Hunter", "Biloxi Blues", "Catch Me If You Can", "Plots With A View" and "Sleepy Hollow"]; Rachel Ticotin ["Con Air", "King Of The Gypsies", "Total Recall", "FX2", "Fort Apache, The Bronx", "Falling Down" and "Natural Born Killers"]; Mickey Rourke ["Body Heat", "Diner", "The Pledge", "9 1/2 Weeks" and "Once Upon A Time In Mexico"]; Cannes Film Festival Best Actor Award winner Giancarlo Giannini ["Saving Grace", "Love and Anarchy", "Swept Away", "Le Dîner" and "Seven Beauties"]; Mario Zaragoza ["Under A Spell", "Gimme the Power", "Dark Cities" and "Streeters"]; Jesús Ochoa ["Kissing Cousins", "Flat", "Leave No Trace" and "Ladies Night"] and Dakota Fanning ["Trapped", "Sweet Home Alabama", "Uptown Girls" and "The Cat In The Hat"] as Pita. The Story

"This epic-length film delivers the breaktaking action and violence that genre fans require, and does it with gritty realism that drives it home with a thudding, visceral impact." ....... Bruce Kirkland JAM! MOVIES

John C Creasy has lost his soul. The former CIA operative is burnt-out. A loner who has hit the bottle. Until his best friend Rayburn brings him to Mexico City where a wave of street kidnappings has made life extremely difficult for anyone who has money. Rayburn convinces Creasy to take a job as a bodyguard for Samuel and Lisa Ramos. They need someone capable who can protect their only child Pita. Creasy shows little interest but finally at the insistence of Rayburn he takes the job. At first Creasy is dismissive of his young charge. He's not paid to be her friend. He's paid to do a job. Pita is persistant and eventually a strong bond forms between them. Then tragedy strikes. She is kidnapped and Creasy is left with multiple gun shot wounds, hospitalized and fighting for his life. There are no clues to Pita's whereabouts, until a ransom demand is made by the kidnappers. The message is clear; payup or you will never see your daughter alive again. The Verdict "Washington and Fanning create plenty of chemistry in the action packed drama, "Man On Fire" a tale of love, redemption and revenge. While there is a heavy dose of violence in "Man On Fire" it won't weigh heavy on the concience of viewers. Director Tony Scott, cinematographer Paul Cameron and editor Christian Wagner have spliced together a most memborable and very entertaining film." The Cast

Denzel Washington Dakota Fanning Marc Anthony Radha Mitchell Christopher Walken Georgina González Abraham Sandoval Giancarlo Giannini Rachel Ticotin Jesús Ochoa Mickey Rourke Angelina Peláez Gustavo Sánchez Parra Gero Camilo Rosa María Hernández Heriberto Del Castillo Mario Zaragoza Javier Torres Zaragoza Iztel Navarro Vazquez Hector Hernandez Zertuche René Campero Angelica Rosado Norma Pablo Itatí Cantoral Jorge Zárate Hugo Pelaez

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John C Creasy Pita Samuel Lisa Rayburn Rayburn's Wife Rayburn's Kid Manzano Mariana Fuentes Jordan Sister Anna Daniel Sanchez Aurelio Sanchez Maria Bruno Jorge Ramirez Sandri Sandri's Girl Chauffeur Father Mother Reina Rosas Evelyn Customs Official Pedro

The Crew Directed by Tony Scott Adapted from the novel "Man on Fire" by A J Quinnell Screenplay by Brian Helgeland Produced by Lucas Foster/Arnon Milchan/Tony Scott Original Music by Harry Gregson-Williams Cinematography by Paul Cameron Film Editing by Christian Wagner Casting by Lucinda Syson/Manuel Teil/Bonnie Timmermann Production Design by Benjamín Fernández & Chris Seagers Art Direction by Hector C Romero Set Decoration by Elli Griff Costume Design by Louise Frogley Makeup Supervisor Graham Johnston Production Manager Mexico Anna Roth Production Unit Manager Carlos Taibo Special Effects by Derek Ledbetter Special Effects Director Jesus G Duran Run Time 126 minutes Rated M15+ [AUST] Copyright ©2004 - 20th Century Fox & Regency Enterprises - All Rights Reserved Copyright Protected © 2004 - Impact Internet Services - All Rights Reserved