Firestarter

1984
R
1h 54m

IMDb RATING

6.1/10

38K

YOUR RATING

Play trailer2:03

5 Videos

99 Photos

Action Horror Sci-Fi Thriller

A couple who participated in a potent medical experiment gain telepathic ability and then have a child who is pyrokinetic.A couple who participated in a potent medical experiment gain telepathic ability and then have a child who is pyrokinetic.A couple who participated in a potent medical experiment gain telepathic ability and then have a child who is pyrokinetic.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.1/10

38K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Awards
- 2 nominations

Videos5

Clip 2:41

Firestarter

Clip 2:37

Firestarter: Charlene

Featurette 2:10

Firestarter: Mark L. Lester On Transforming The Book Into A Movie

Featurette 2:17

Firestarter: Mark L. Lester And Dick Warlock On The Stunts Of The Film

Photos112

104

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Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
George C. Scott wears an eye patch over his left eye during the final half hour of the film which was due to the infection caused by the contact lens used earlier in the film. The eye was not quite healed and had to wear it to complete the filming of his scenes.

Goofs
When Charlie is destroying The Shop's mansion you can clearly see where the set was cut so it could destroyed easily. Right after Charlie sends the second fire ball into the house the shot pans up to the balcony where a man is burning. In that shot you can see where the balcony has been set to be destroyed. You can also see the detcord explosives wrapped around the pillars to cause them to break off at predetermined places.

Quotes
Captain Hollister: [referring to Charlie] When we find out all we need to know from her...
John Rainbird: ...when you give her to me.
Captain Hollister: [after a pause] What are you going to do with her?
John Rainbird: John, the friendly orderly, will come in. He will greet her, talk to her, get her to smile... John, the friendly orderly, will make her happy because he's the only one who can. And when John feels she has reached the moment of her greatest happiness, he will strike her across the bridge of the nose, breaking it explosively and sending bone fragments into her brain. It'll be quick. And he'll be looking at her face at the time. He will *know* her power. And when he dies, which I hope is very soon, perhaps he can take that power with him... into the other world.
Captain Hollister: [finishes off his drink and heads for the door] You are crazy!

Crazy credits
[unused disclaimer, written for end titles; ended up on cutting-room floor] FIRESTARTER contains a purely fictional account of a small group of ruthless and corrupt scientific researchers and national-intelligence agents. These characters do not represent the United States government, and it would be erroneous and unfair to suggest that they do. The vast majority of North American intelligence and research personnel have demonstrated the utmost moral sense, regard for civilian welfare, and worthiness of the public trust.

Connections
Featured in At the Movies: Breakin'/Firestarter/Hardbodies/Sugar Cane Alley (1984)

Soundtracks
Crystal Voice
Written by Tangerine Dream
Performed by Tangerine Dream

User reviews156

Review

Featured review

Great Cast but the Film is a Flop

Firestarter (1984)

** (out of 4)

Weak adaptation of the Steven King novel about a young child named Charlie (Drew Barrymore) who has the special power of being able to set things on fire by just using her thought. She's on the run with her father (David Keith) from various government people wanting to exploit her talent as she tries to control her gift. I haven't read the novel that this movie is based on so I can't comment on what this got right or wrong. However, I'm one who never expects a movie to follow the book 100% so with that in mind I can only say that this film is a complete mess. Thankfully this thing offers up an all-star cast including some legends because without them this film would be nearly impossible to get through. Clocking in just under two-hours, the film feels twice as long and I think a lot of the blame has to go to director Mark L. Lester. His direction is all over the place and not for a second did I feel any tension in the story and I also thought the pacing was pretty bad. I will say that not all of this might be his fault because the screenplay itself has a fair number of problems. One such problem is that the entire thing never really seems to know what it wants to do. Is it a horror film? Science fiction? Is it trying to be some sort of hard, negative look at the government and their powers? The film is all over the map in regards to what it's trying to do but sadly it doesn't do any of them very well. The performances are actually pretty good and are the best thing in the film. Barrymore delivers a strong and believable performance as the haunting girl and I've always liked Keith in just about everything he's done. Heather Locklear does a nice job in her scenes as the mother and we get vets like Martin Sheen and George C. Scott offering up fine performances. The highlight of the film deals with a couple farmers played by Art Carney and Louise Fletcher. Yes, FIRESTARTER has three Oscar-winning actors. The special effects are another plus and help give the film some energy. I must admit that the entire story struck me as being silly and especially early on as we see Keith's character getting nosebleeds from doing his psychic powers and Barrymore crying from setting people on fire. These scenes really made me laugh the majority of the time and once we keep seeing the same thing over and over it just gets boring.