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Catch a Fire

Catch a Fire

Action · Drama · Thriller · 2006

The true story of anti-apartheid activists in South Africa, and particularly the life of Patrick Chamusso, a timid foreman at Secunda CTL, the largest synthetic fuel plant in the world. Patrick is wrongly accused, imprisoned and tortured for an attempt to bomb the plant, with the injustice transforming the apolitical worker into a radicalised insurgent, who then carries out his own successful sabotage mission.

Movie details

Catch a Fire

“The spark that ignites us, unites us.”

2006 Action · Drama · Thriller 1h 41m

Critical arithmetic

One number, for now.

TMDB

6.3 / 10

Community rating

The true story of anti-apartheid activists in South Africa, and particularly the life of Patrick Chamusso, a timid foreman at Secunda CTL, the largest synthetic fuel plant in the world. Patrick is wrongly accused, imprisoned and tortured for an attempt to bomb the plant, with the injustice transforming the apolitical worker into a radicalised insurgent, who then carries out his own successful sabotage mission.

CriticWise case file

What this film says about your taste.

Not a recommendation score. A measure of how closely the film’s taste signals resemble yours.

The archetype split

Who fights over Catch a Fire?

The split comes from the same five-axis model used by the test, not audience ratings or review sentiment.

Taste neighbourhood

Nearby on the taste map.

TMDB supplies the candidates. CriticWise reorders them by craft, strangeness, prestige, emotion, and pace.

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WWE WrestleMania XXIV

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Changing Lanes

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Thriller · 2002

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Names above the title

The people responsible.

Directed by

Phillip Noyce

Written by

Shawn Slovo

Tim Robbins

Tim Robbins

Nic Vos

Derek Luke

Derek Luke

Patrick Chamusso

Bonnie Mbuli

Bonnie Mbuli

Precious Chamusso

Mncedisi Shabangu

Mncedisi Shabangu

Zuko September

Tumisho Masha

Tumisho Masha

Obadi

S

Sithembiso Khumalo

Sixpence

Terry Pheto

Terry Pheto

Miriam

Court is in session

Put Catch a Fire on trial.

Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.

The defence The Adrenaline Seeker

“Momentum is a formal choice.”

The velocity sharpens instinct and tension, making every beat land before self-importance can settle in.

The prosecution The Auteur Devotee

“Speed as an alibi.”

The film races past its weak spots and hopes acceleration will keep the audience from inspecting the evidence.