John Creasy (Denzel Washington) is a lost soul. A former government operative, he has become an alcoholic nomad, searching for inspiration and redemption. An old friend (Christopher Walken) who lives in Mexico gets Creasy a job as a bodyguard for nine-year-old Lupita "Pita" Ramos (Dakota Fanning), the daughter of Mexican Samuel (Marc Anthony) and his American wife Lisa (Radha Mitchell). Creasy's primary job is to protect Pita from the kidnapping attempts that are an increasing menace to the children of Mexico City's wealthy. A man of few words and many secrets, Creasy initially balks at Pita's attempts to befriend him, but soon a bond grows between the precocious child and this lonely man who is tormented by his past. When Pita is kidnapped despite Creasy's valiant attempts to save her, he will do anything to bring all of those involved to justice. His fury unravels a net of almost unimaginable corruption and greed in the process. Director Tony Scott (TOP GUN, CRIMSON TIDE) builds the relationship between Creasy and Pita in the first half of the film in order to justify Creasy's violent actions in the latter half, and in the process he does a fine job of keeping the film's tension consistently high.
DVD Features:
Widescreen - 2.35
Disc One: MAN ON FIRE (Feature with Bonus Material)
Audio:
Dolby Digital 5.1- English
Dolby Surround - Spanish & French
DTS 5.1 - English
Additional Release Material:
Audio Commentary - 1. Tony Scott - Director
2. Lucas Foster, Brian Helgeland & Dakota Fanning
Disc Two: Bonus Material
Additional Release Material:
Deleted Scenes - 1. Lisa asks for a bodyguard
2. Lisa & Samuel have sex
3. Lisa talks to Creasy/Creasy meets Jordan Kalfus
4. Pita prays for a dog
5. Pita asks Creasy about his family
6. Pita asks Creasy about his hand
7. Creasy saves Lisa at Assassination
8. Sex with Lisa Aftermath
9. Lisa tells Samuel that Creasy has to go
10. Samuel plays piano
11. Creasy talks to Manzano/Lisa prays
12. Pita's ghost appears in backyard
13. Creasy kills Sandri
14. Jordan, Kalfus explains kidnapping of Pita
15. Samuel kills Jordan.
16. Creasy talks to Mariana and Manzano
Alternate Ending
Documentary - VENGEANCE IS MINE - REINVENTING MAN ON FIRE
Director of Photography
Paul Cameron: Director of Photography
Executive Producer
James W. Skotchdopole: Producer
Executive Producer
Lance Hool: Producer/Director
Executive Producer
Peter Toumasis: Executive Producer, MAN ON FIRE (2004)
Source Writer
A.J. Quinnell: Author, MAN ON FIRE (2004)
Additional Music/Songs
Justin Caine Burnett: composer
Review 1:
"[Fanning] turns Pita into a delightful, distinctive, self-possessed individual, likely the most mature youthful presence we'll see on screen all summer."
Source: Los Angeles Times
p.C1 04/21/2004
Review 2:
"[The director] gives us solid chemistry between Fanning and lead Denzel Washington, plus a more complex than expected characterization by Radha Mitchell..."
Source: USA Today
p.7E 04/23/2004
Review 3:
"We're absorbed by Washington's character."
Source: Chicago Sun-Times
p.33 04/23/2004
Review 4:
"MAN ON FIRE explodes with some beautifully orchestrated mayhem that's driven by a cast of fully realised characters."
Source: Uncut
p.147 11/01/2004