Born Of Fire

Houston International Film Festival Grand Jury prize notwithstanding, they don't come much sillier than this. Peter Firth (remembered for his stunning portrayal of the troubled youth in Peter Shaffer's brilliant stage play Equus) plays Paul Bergson, a flutist who has strange visions. Into his life comes an anonymous woman, whose scientific research has her convinced that serious volcanic business is about to transact in Turkey. Coincidentally, Paul's father (also a flutist) was murdered in Turkey after he went to seek out the Master Musician. Paul and the woman go to Turkey, where, with the help of a mysterious Turkish guide (who says endlessly banal things like: You must [seek, search for, discover, enter] the [way, path, circle]), Paul uncovers the truth about his father's demise, his father's mistress's demise, and his newly discovered deformed half-brother. In a nutshell, the Master Musician is Evil (with a capital), Paul is Good (with a capital), and they meet on the battlefield armed with their flutes. That's right. We're talking Flute Wars. Guess who wins ? Except for some nice scenic shots of Turkey, Born of Fire is pure hokum. Not recommended.