Catch a Fire 2006

Catch a Fire

Critics Consensus

No stranger to the political thriller, director Phillip Noyce tackles apartheid and terrorism with experienced gusto, while Derek Luke and Tim Robbins hand in nuanced performances.

75%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 146

71%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 28,967

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Catch a Fire Photos

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Movie Info

Patrick Chamusso (Derek Luke), an apolitical black South African who works at an oil refinery, becomes a freedom fighter for the ANC after a brutal run-in with a government terror squad. Patrick stages daring solo attacks against the apartheid regime, even as a policeman (Tim Robbins) worms his way into the lives of Patrick and his family.
  • Rating:
    PG-13 (Thematic Material|Brief Language|Violence)
  • Genre:
    mystery and thriller, drama
  • Original Language:
    English
  • Director:
    Phillip Noyce
  • Producer:
    Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Anthony Minghella, Robyn Slovo
  • Release Date (Theaters):
     wide
  • Release Date (Streaming):
  • Box Office (Gross USA):
    $4.3M
  • Runtime:
  • Production Co:
    Mirage Enterprises, Working Title Films
  • Sound Mix:
    Dolby Digital, DTS, Dolby SRD
  • Aspect Ratio:
    Scope (2.35:1)

Cast & Crew

Tim Robbins
Nic Vos
Derek Luke
Patrick Chamusso
Bonnie Henna
Precious Chamusso
Mncedisi Shabangu
Zuko September
Tumisho Masha
Obadi
Sithembiso Khumalo
Sixpence
Terry Pheto
Miriam
Michele Burgers
Anna Vos
Phillip Noyce
Director
Shawn Slovo
Writer
Tim Bevan
Producer
Eric Fellner
Producer
Anthony Minghella
Producer
Robyn Slovo
Producer
Sydney Pollack
Executive Producer
Debra Hayward
Executive Producer
Liza Chasin
Executive Producer
Ron Fortunato
Cinematographer
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Critic Reviews for Catch a Fire

All Critics (146) | Top Critics (44) | Fresh (109) | Rotten (37)

View All Critic Reviews (146)

Audience Reviews for Catch a Fire

  • Mar 07, 2011
    In watching the compelling Apartheid-set bio-pic Catch a Fire, one cannot help but think back to Cry Freedom, Richard Attenborough's poignant but overlong portrait of slain non-violent South African activist Steven Biko (Denzel Washington) and his unlikely friendship with a white reporter (Kevin Kline). With Fire, director Phillip Noyce tackles the other side of the coin, chronicling the rise of an anti-apartheid "terrorist" and his antagonistic relationship with a white colonel, all within a breezy running time that keeps the action taut. In this R-rated South African-set thriller, hard-working family man Patrick Chamusso (Luke) truly turns revolutionary after he is wrongly accused and tortured for a crime by Police Security Branch operative Nic Vos (Robbins) in the early '80s. No stranger to political intrigue, Noyce (Patriot Games, Rabbit-Proof Fence) presents a 1980s-set true story made all the more timely by the events of September 11, a point he capitalizes on. After Vos (representing foreign govt.) tortures the innocent Chamusso (representing persecuted natives), the latter's motives for turning radically political become starkly obvious, paralleling a certain Western power's occupation of modern-day Iraq. Catch a Fire also gives a powerful combo in Robbins and Luke, who bring their respective characters' moral ambiguity to light with a gripping intensity--perhaps too well. Noyce shows us family man Chamusso's philandering while concurrently portraying Vos's nearly perfect home life with middling results. As the real-life Chamusso's appearance at the end makes clear, this is HIS story, not that of the top-billed Robbins. Perhaps, Focus Features just wanted to get their money's worth out of the Oscar-winner. Bottom line: Once you catch it, you won't let go.
    Jeff B Super Reviewer
  • Sep 07, 2010
    3 3/4's..Decent bio-drama. A little rough around the edges, but decently done. Derek Luke does a fine job. The story of what happened in this country is never a dull one.
    Cynthia S Super Reviewer
  • Dec 22, 2009
    Liloh: <i>And I realized nothing has changed. And I dont think South Africa will be ever Free from Whites and their terror against em.</I> This Movie was more than just a Movie. A great Friends recommendation and long review on her experience and the review on the movie made me watch this Movie twice. Thank you Lilo
    Wahida K Super Reviewer
  • Apr 10, 2009
    A well-documented thriller that features a powerhouse performance from Derek Luke as a man descending into hatred and rebellion after government wrecks his ideal life apart. Robbins gives a very restrained performance in this one, a little too restrained for my taste, however, this movie is all about Luke. It's a familiar setting, with a few turns in the plot that I didn't completely buy into, however, the positives outweigh the negatives here. The ending packs a swift emotional blow, especially seeing Luke being able to interact with the real Patrick Chamusso at the end of the film.
    Dan S Super Reviewer
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