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Firestarter

  • 19841984
  • RR
  • 1h 54m
IMDb RATING
6.0/10
34K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
3,440
111
Drew Barrymore in Firestarter (1984)
Trailer for Firestarter
Play trailer2:03
2 Videos
99+ Photos
ActionHorrorSci-Fi
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.
IMDb RATING
6.0/10
34K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
3,440
111
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Director
      • Mark L. Lester
    • Writers
      • Stephen King(novel)
      • Stanley Mann
    • Stars
      • Drew Barrymore
      • David Keith
      • Freddie Jones
    Top credits
    • Director
      • Mark L. Lester
    • Writers
      • Stephen King(novel)
      • Stanley Mann
    • Stars
      • Drew Barrymore
      • David Keith
      • Freddie Jones
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 147User reviews
    • 94Critic reviews
    • 50Metascore
    • Awards
      • 2 nominations

    Videos2

    Firestarter
    Trailer 2:03
    Firestarter
    Firestarter
    Clip 2:41
    Firestarter

    Photos111

    "Firestarter" George C. Scott, Drew Barrymore
    Drew Barrymore, George C. Scott, and Curtis Credel in Firestarter (1984)
    "Firestarter" Art Carney
    Drew Barrymore in Firestarter (1984)
    Drew Barrymore in Firestarter (1984)
    Drew Barrymore in Firestarter (1984)
    Drew Barrymore in Firestarter (1984)
    Drew Barrymore in Firestarter (1984)
    Drew Barrymore in Firestarter (1984)
    Drew Barrymore in Firestarter (1984)
    Heather Locklear in Firestarter (1984)
    Drew Barrymore and David Keith in Firestarter (1984)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Drew Barrymore
    Drew Barrymore
    • Charlie McGee
    David Keith
    David Keith
    • Andrew McGee
    Freddie Jones
    Freddie Jones
    • Dr. Joseph Wanless
    Heather Locklear
    Heather Locklear
    • Vicky McGee
    Martin Sheen
    Martin Sheen
    • Captain Hollister
    George C. Scott
    George C. Scott
    • John Rainbird
    Art Carney
    Art Carney
    • Irv Manders
    Louise Fletcher
    Louise Fletcher
    • Norma Manders
    Moses Gunn
    Moses Gunn
    • Dr. Pynchot
    Antonio Fargas
    Antonio Fargas
    • Taxi Driver
    Drew Snyder
    Drew Snyder
    • Orville Jamieson
    Curtis Credel
    • Bates
    Keith Colbert
    • Mayo
    Dick Warlock
    Dick Warlock
    • Knowles
    • (as Richard Warlock)
    Jeff Ramsey
    Jeff Ramsey
    • Steinowitz
    Jack Magner
    Jack Magner
    • Young Serviceman
    Lisa Anne Barnes
    Lisa Anne Barnes
    • Serviceman's Girlfriend
    Larry Sprinkle
    • Security Guard
    • Director
      • Mark L. Lester
    • Writers
      • Stephen King(novel)
      • Stanley Mann
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Prophetically, a few years before she was cast in the film, six-year-old Drew Barrymore's mother thought that Drew resembled the girl on the source novel's paperback dust-jacket. Drew once said: "My mom had seen this book at the grocery store with a picture of a little girl on it and she said, 'Gee, this looks kinda like you'. She said it was okay if I bought it, and so I did. When I read it, I came into the kitchen where my mom was making dinner and said: 'I'm the Firestarter. I'm Charlie McGee!' But she didn't know what I was talking about."
    • Goofs
      When Andy grabs Charlie and runs (right after she sets fire to the airport security guard) she yells, "I didn't mean it, Daddy!" but her mouth never moves.
    • 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 reviews147

    Review
    Top review
    7/10
    Young prodigy starts fires in one of the best Stephen King adaptations!
    Despite the fact that the films usually revolve around good and interesting stories, film adaptations of Stephen King's works are often not the best horror movies. Firestarter isn't the best known of his books, and that's slightly odd as this film adaptation is one of the best based on his stories. The film takes obvious influence from Brian De Palma's 'The Fury', as aside from the fact that this one is about a young girl that can start fires, and De Palma's film features a boy with psychic abilities; the way that both plots play out is very similar indeed. The plot has a number of problems, and the characters don't always act logically; but this is offset by the likable nature of the film, and characters that are easy to get along with due to their relatively simplistic nature. The film follows the aftermath of an experiment in which people were given an experimental drug. The ultimate result of this experiment was a child born of Andy and Vicky McGee; a child with a unique ability known as 'pyrokinesis' - the ability to start fires at will.

    The film benefits from a range of cult stars. A young Drew Barrymore takes the title role, and although her acting skills hadn't been honed by the time this film was released, and she is more than a little bit wooden; she provides an interesting lead. David Keith and Martin Sheen back her up well in supporting roles, but the main acting plaudits go to the great George C. Scott who is good in what is probably the meatiest role of the piece. The running time is a little long for a film like this, but it's well used and the fact that the story doesn't get caught up with needless elements such as the girl's mother and father falling in love is definitely a good thing. The plot is very relaxed for most of the way through, and director Mark L. Lester seems content to just let things play out. That is until the last fifteen minutes; when the plot reaches its full potential and explodes with a fun and exciting finale. The film does feel more than a little bit like a TV movie at times; and the dumbed down techno soundtrack doesn't help this. Overall, the film definitely isn't perfect; but it's an enjoyable watch and King films have definitely been a lot worse!
    helpful•36
    12
    • The_Void
    • Jul 19, 2006

    FAQ7

    • What is 'Firestarter' about?
    • Is 'Firestarter' based on a book?
    • What was Lot Six supposed to do?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • May 11, 1984 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Der feuerteufel
    • Filming locations
      • Lake Lure, North Carolina, USA
    • Production companies
      • Dino De Laurentiis Company
      • Universal Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $15,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $17,080,167
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $4,726,660
      • May 13, 1984
    • Gross worldwide
      • $17,080,167
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 54 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.39 : 1

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