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Firestarter

  • 1984
  • R
  • 1h 54m
IMDb RATING
6.0/10
35K
YOUR RATING
Drew Barrymore in Firestarter (1984)
Trailer for Firestarter
Play trailer2:03
5 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.

  • Director
    • Mark L. Lester
  • Writers
    • Stephen King
    • Stanley Mann
  • Stars
    • Drew Barrymore
    • David Keith
    • Freddie Jones
  • See production, box office & company info
  • IMDb RATING
    6.0/10
    35K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Mark L. Lester
    • Writers
      • Stephen King
      • Stanley Mann
    • Stars
      • Drew Barrymore
      • David Keith
      • Freddie Jones
    • 149User reviews
    • 96Critic reviews
    • 50Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 2 nominations

    Videos5

    Firestarter
    Trailer 2:03
    Watch Firestarter
    Firestarter
    Clip 2:41
    Watch Firestarter
    Firestarter: Charlene
    Clip 2:37
    Watch Firestarter: Charlene
    Firestarter: Mark L. Lester On Transforming The Book Into A Movie
    Featurette 2:10
    Watch Firestarter: Mark L. Lester On Transforming The Book Into A Movie
    Firestarter: Mark L. Lester And Dick Warlock On The Stunts Of The Film
    Featurette 2:17
    Watch Firestarter: Mark L. Lester And Dick Warlock On The Stunts Of The Film

    Photos107

    "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)
    Heather Locklear in Firestarter (1984)
    Drew Barrymore and David Keith in Firestarter (1984)
    George C. Scott in Firestarter (1984)
    Drew Barrymore in Firestarter (1984)
    Drew Barrymore 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 reviews149

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    7/10
    Nicely made sci-fi with a terrific child star
    Andrew McGee (David Keith) is on the run with his daughter Charlie (Drew Barrymore) from a secret government agency called 'The Shop'. He has the power of suggestion. She sets fires. Back in college, he was in Dr. Joseph Wanless (Freddie Jones)'s experiment with Vicky Tomlinson (Heather Locklear) taking an injection called Lot 6. They start communicating telepathically. Everybody hallucinates and they are the only two survivors. Later they got married and had Charlie. After they killed Vicky and tried to kidnap Charlie, Andrew goes on the run. Dr. Wanless wants to kill off the family fearing the powers of the little girl. Captain Hollister (Martin Sheen) scoffs at the possibilities with the support of John Rainbird (George C. Scott). They want to experiment and use her as a weapon.

    This is such a nicely made sci-fi giving child star Drew Barrymore the staring role. It doesn't have the big flash and the sizzle. It's mostly a road movie. There are some nice fire work. The explosions could be more impressive. The flashbacks work well. The acting is generally very good with some terrific actors. Drew does an exceptional job as a child actor. It probably could use more shoot outs and high speed chases. However it works very well without them.
    helpful•7
    2
    • SnoopyStyle
    • Oct 17, 2014

    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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