Open Fire (1994): Cast & Plot
Open Fire is a 1994 crime drama directed by Paul Greengrass, starring Susan Tordoff as Susan Finch, Rupert Graves and Gwyneth Powell. It runs 1 hour 45 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 45m (105 min)
- Director
- Paul Greengrass
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- LWT
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Open Fire About?
The premise of Open Fire without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
Based on real 1983 events, detective constable Peter Finch receives a medal for bravely apprehending a dangerous criminal. Shortly after, David Martin, a transvestite with a violent streak, is released from prison, commits a burglary and shoots a police officer, sparking a nationwide manhunt. Finch then shoots filmmaker Steven Waldorf, mistakenly treating him as a suspect, igniting a scandal that shakes the police force.
Open Fire Themes & Keywords
· 47 tags- year 1983
- straight woman has sex with a transvestite
- revolver
- london metropolitan police
- stolen goods
- violent criminal
- armed police
- prison
- police chase
- crossdresser
- sex scene
- manhunt
+35 more Show fewer
- shot by police
- robbery
- 1980s
- wanted by the police
- nightclub
- crossdresser male lead
- armed robbery
- man wanted by the police
- escape from prison
- armed robber
- mini cooper
- yellow car
- police officer shot
- gun violence
- robber
- pistol
- sex in a car
- handgun
- burglar
- tube station
- firearm
- mistaken identity
- london underground
- release from prison
- police surveillance
- police shooting
- british criminal
- gun
- criminal
- gun in mouth
- police
- transvestite
- burglary
- london england
- based on true story
Open Fire Cast & Characters
Susan Tordoff leads the cast as Susan Finch, with Rupert Graves as David Martin and Gwyneth Powell as Gloria Martin. Directed by Paul Greengrass; 25 actors are credited in all.
-
Director Paul Greengrass
- Susan Tordoff as Susan Finch
-
Rupert Graves as David Martin - Gwyneth Powell as Gloria Martin
-
Douglas Hodge as DC Peter Finch
Also Starring in Open Fire
· 21 more- Samuel West Stephen Waldorf
- Eddie Izzard Rich
- Jim Carter DCS Young
- David O'Hara Armed Robber
- Kate Hardie Sue Stephens
- Colin McCormack DCS Naylor
- Joe Tucker DS Johnson
- Aran Bell PC Nicholas Carr
- James Bowers Policeman
- Trevor Byfield Mr Martin
- Martin Herdman Surveillance Officer
- James Puddephatt 2nd Policeman
- Paul McNeilly Policeman
- David Peart Assistant Commissioner
- Sam Halpenny DC Peter Van Dee
- Chris Lawson Prison Guard
Show all 25 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Gooey Law Waldorf's Friend
- Stephen Webber Court Clerk
- Keith Bartlett CIB Man
- Steve Knowles Train Driver
- Daniel Scott-Gooding Boy at Station
More from Paul Greengrass
More films directed by Paul Greengrass, best-rated first: The Bourne Ultimatum, Bloody Sunday, United 93 and News of the World.
Open Fire Plot Summary
What happens in Open Fire from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 11 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
David Martin, Rupert Graves, is the central figure in a tense, lengthy pursuit that grips Britain. The film opens by following a young officer, DC Peter Finch, Douglas Hodge, who earns a medal for bravery after a dramatic arrest of an armed criminal—David Martin—setting the tone for a career-defining moment that will soon be overshadowed by tragedy and controversy. The narrative then shifts to Stephen Waldorf, a 26-year-old film editor, Samuel West, whose life becomes entwined in the hunt in a devastating way: he is mistakenly identified as Martin and shot by police, an event that ripples through every level of law enforcement and public perception.
Full summary
The whole story of Open Fire, scene by scene
Open Fire Trailers & Videos
The trailer of Open Fire.
How Well Do You Know Open Fire?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Who plays the fugitive David Martin, the central figure of the manhunt?
Cars in Open Fire
15 cars on screen, including the 1969 Chevrolet C-Series and the 1975 Ford Econoline.
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1969 Chevrolet C-Series Important role -
1975 Ford Econoline Important role -
1988 Ford LTD Crown Victoria Important role -
1973 GMC Value Van Important role
Open Fire Also Known As
Also known as “开火”.
- Also known as
-
- 开火
Seen Open Fire?
Movies Like Open Fire
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Open Fire, London’s Burning: The Movie and Open Fire.
Open Fire FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of Open Fire, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Open Fire?
Open Fire runs 1 hour 45 minutes (105 minutes).
When was Open Fire released?
Open Fire was released on November 12, 1994.
Who directed Open Fire?
Open Fire was directed by Paul Greengrass.
More films by Paul Greengrass Who is in the cast of Open Fire?
Open Fire stars Susan Tordoff as Susan Finch, Rupert Graves as David Martin and Gwyneth Powell as Gloria Martin, among 25 credited actors.
Does Open Fire have a post-credit scene?
No. Open Fire has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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