The Firechasers


The Firechasers is a 1971 British crime film directed by Sidney Hayers and starring Chad Everett, Anjanette Comer, and Keith Barron. It was written by Philip Levene.
An insurance investigator tries to find out who is behind a series of arson attacks.
The character Quentin Barnaby also appeared, played by Robert Beatty, in the BBC radio series Destination – Fire! written by Levene.

Plot

While investigating the cause of a series of lethal fires in London, U.S. insurance man Quentin Barnaby falls in love with beautiful journalist Toby Collins. Working alongside and pooling information with Collins and her photographer, Jim Maxwell, Barnaby hopes they share a common goal, that of "firechasing" the identity of the arsonist responsible.

Cast

Production

The film was shot at Pinewood Studios.

Reception

The Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "A straightforward thriller, presumably made with the American TV market in mind. The emphasis is on action and the photogenic qualities of the fires; but while these are mounted with due dramatic flair, the performances are generally wooden, though Keith Barron does manage to invest an unlikely role with some bite. But the only time The Firechasers really rises above its romanticised world of highpowered journalists and insurance detectives is in the presentation of the mechanics of fire fighting, especially in the climactic fire in a large department store, with the heroine trapped in a lift between floors, fire above and below, and water spraying in on her from the ceiling sprinklers."
Kine Weekly wrote: "Straightforward who-dunnit, this has some exciting fire scenes and a tense climax. ... The mystery of who is responsible for the outbreaks is reasonably well kept amidst the usual crop of red herrings and, since this is primarily an action story, it does not matter so much that the characters are superficial."
TV Guide gave the film 1/5 stars, calling it "so-so entertainment."
In the Radio Times Tony Sloman wrote, "Director Sidney Hayers keeps up the pace as unlikely insurance investigator Everett hunts an arsonist throughout a London peopled with well-known British character actors."