The Fireboy

A troubled boy is reluctantly fostered by a hard-working woman (Dobson). Her fears seem well founded when the boy starts a fire. BUt her daughter, who initially resents the intruder, discovers that he may not be to blame for his problems after all. Will the growing sympathy of his foster family be enough to stop the Fireboy from destroying them all?

Directed by Pat Sharpe, The Fireboy leans on a strong ensemble — Philip Bulcock, Anita Dobson, James Hazeldine — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about screen titles of 1994.