Point of Origin (TV 2002)

Fact-based drama about an arson investigator (Ray Liotta) searching for the perpetrator of a string of deadly fires in 1980s California.

Director:

Newton Thomas Sigel

Writer:

Matthew Tabak

Stars:

Ray Liotta, John Leguizamo, Colm Feore

Nominated for 1 Primetime Emmy. Another 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Ray Liotta	...	John Orr / Aaron Stiles
John Leguizamo	...	Keith Lang
Colm Feore	...	Mike Matassa
Cliff Curtis	...	Mike Camello
Bai Ling	...	Wanda Orr
Illeana Douglas	...	Kate
Ronny Cox	...	Chief Gray
Mike Camello	...	Glen Lucero
Nora Zehetner	...	Trish
Sophia Bush	...	Carrie Orr
Sandra Lee Gimpel	...	Stella Cove (as Sandy Gimpel)
Miles Schneider	...	Kenny
Ingrid Rogers	...	Ambria
Maree Cheatham	...	Gabby Finn
Graham Beckel	...	Clarence Hyde

Storyline

Fact-based drama about an arson investigator (Ray Liotta) searching for the perpetrator of a string of deadly fires in 1980s California.

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Plot Keywords:

fire | 1980s | california | arson | arson investigator | 

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Taglines:

When fire becomes an obsession... truth becomes stranger than fiction.

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Thriller

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Certificate:

R

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

22 June 2002 (USA)

Also Known As:

In the Heat of Fire

Filming Locations:

Ambassador Hotel - 3400 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

HBO Films, New Redemption Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

86 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color (FotoKem)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

During filming in the hardware store set, located behind Los Angeles' Ambassador Hotel, a special effects technician suffered first and second degree burns over 40 percent of his body.

User Reviews

The Ultimate TV Movie

Well the IMDB crowd didn't seem to think much of it but I thoroughly enjoyed it. I feel that in many ways this HBO production based on a stranger-than-fiction arson investigation is the best that small screen productions can be. However, beware aspiring filmmakers, it doesn't follow the classic Sid Field story arc.

The movie was directed by one of the finest cinematographers in recent times; just check his IMDB profile-- http://us.imdb.com/Name?Sigel,+Newton+Thomas. I look forward to seeing his future works.

If the story catches your interest, you might want to track down a NOVA special entitled "Hunt for the Serial Arsonist", and compare the screenplay to the facts of the case including interviews with investigator John Orr.