Man on Fire (1987)
1h 33m | PG-13
Creasy, a traumatized ex-CIA agent, gets a job as a bodyguard for Samantha, the twelve-year-old daughter of a wealthy Italian family living in a swanky villa on the shores of Lake Como.
Director: Élie Chouraqui
Studio: Sept Films Cinéma
Genre: Drama, Thriller
Video: 720p
Cast
Scott Glenn
as Creasy
Jade Malle
as Samantha
Brooke Adams
as Jane
Jonathan Pryce
as Michael
Danny Aiello
as Conti
Joe Pesci
as David
Reviews
Man on Fire (1987) felt like a typical ‘80s action thriller that didn’t do much to stand out. While the premise had potential, the execution was flat, and I found no real connection with any of the characters. The performances felt stiff, and any attempt at emotion seemed forced rather than natural. The film relied on slow zooms and long frozen frames, which were common in that era but didn’t add anything meaningful here. Instead of building tension or depth, these choices made it feel dated and uninspired. It wasn’t a bad movie, but it lacked the intensity and emotional weight that could have made it memorable. The story moved along in a predictable manner without any standout moments to elevate it beyond just another revenge thriller. Compared to the 2004 version, which brought real grit and depth, this one felt hollow. If anything, watching this only made me appreciate how much better the later adaptation handled the same material.