Rotten
At its best when making the most of the conflicts at the heart of apartheid.
Dave Calhoun, Time Out
Catch a Fire
The spark that ignites us, unites us.
2006 · 1h 41m · PG-13
Action, Drama, Thriller
Directed by
Phillip Noyce
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Catch a Fire
Overview
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.
Director and cast
- Phillip Noyce Director
- Tim Robbins as Nic Vos
- Derek Luke as Patrick Chamusso
- Bonnie Mbuli as Precious Chamusso
- Mncedisi Shabangu as Zuko September
- Tumisho Masha as Obadi
- Sithembiso Khumalo as Sixpence
- Terry Pheto as Miriam
- Michele Burgers as Anna Vos
- Mpho Lovinga as Johnny Piliso
- Jay Anstey as Katie Vos
Critics on Rotten Tomatoes
Top critics, in their words
75%
Tomatometer
Rotten
Despite Mr. Noyce's attempt to achieve a sense of balance and restraint, the material covers an overly familiar landscape with no special insight or sense of purpose.
Rex Reed, New York Observer
Fresh
Catch a Fire ignites, incites and informs as few other movies of the fall do.
Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel
Fresh
Catch a Fire is confident enough to depict the battle from all sides.
Christy Lemire, Associated Press
Fresh
[The film is] complex. It's rich. I think it's well-done.
Richard Roeper, Ebert & Roeper
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