Heaven’s Burning

Heaven’s Burning

Year: 1997

Runtime: 96 mins

Language: English

Director: Craig Lahiff

DramaCrimeActionThrillerThrillers and murder mysteries

Vengeance knows no mercy. In Sydney, newly‑wedded Midori spends her honeymoon with husband Yukio, though she loves him not. She fakes her own kidnapping to escape, but her lover never shows. She goes to a bank for cash, becoming a hostage in a robbery. Getaway driver Colin rescues her, and they flee while police, Yukio and robbers give chase.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Heaven’s Burning (1997)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Heaven’s Burning (1997). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Midori arrives in Sydney at the outset, and the narrative unfolds across coastal towns and rural NSW as Colin and Midori flee. The setting blends urban risk with expansive countryside, highlighting the danger of crime in both crowded cities and open landscapes. The journey across New South Wales frames a cross-country chase that tests loyalty and survival.

🏞️ Australian road movie 💥 Crime thriller 💔 Romantic drama 🚓 Police pursuit

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:19

Main Characters – Heaven’s Burning (1997)

Meet the key characters of Heaven’s Burning (1997), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Colin O'Brien

Colin is an experienced getaway driver who becomes a protector for Midori after the bank robbery goes awry. He is practical, resourceful, and driven by a personal code to safeguard the vulnerable and pursue a future away from crime. His relationship with his father adds emotional tension to his journey as he searches for a path of reconciliation.

🚗 Protagonist 🛡️ Protector ⚖️ Moral center

Midori Takada

Midori is a Japanese bride who arrives in Sydney with a sense that her marriage is a mistake. She uses the honeymoon as a chance to escape, seeking freedom and autonomy even as danger closes in. Her evolving bond with Colin reveals a stubborn resolve and a readiness to fight for a new life.

🌺 Complex heroine 🔥 Passionate 🕊️ Escape artist

Mahood

Mahood is a member of the Afghan family involved in the bank robbery. He is volatile and willing to escalate violence to achieve his aims, becoming a major threat to Colin and Midori as the pursuit intensifies.

⚔️ Antagonist 🤬 Violent 🌪️ Tension

Cam

Cam is Colin's father and a ranch owner who embodies a skeptical view of crime and a belief in karma. He provides practical wisdom and a grounding presence, offering support to his son while confronting the dangers of the outside world.

👨‍👦 Father figure 🎯 Moral compass 🏞️ Ranch life

Yukio

Yukio is Midori's husband, driven by honor and vengeance. He pursues Midori with relentless determination and is capable of extreme violence, making him the central antagonist as the chase reaches its peak.

⚔️ Vengeful 🧭 Obsessed 💔 Loyalties

Boorjan

Boorjan is the patriarch of the Afghan family who swears revenge after the abduction and betrayal. His vendetta fuels the pursuit across New South Wales and shapes the course of the narrative until he meets his fate.

🗺️ Patriarch ⚖️ Revenge seed 🌍 Cross-border tension

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:19

Major Themes – Heaven’s Burning (1997)

Explore the central themes of Heaven’s Burning (1997), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

💔 Love and Duty

Midori's search for personal freedom clashes with expectations placed on her, while Colin's protective instincts push him to defy orders. Their bond evolves under pressure, turning into a fragile alliance that risks everything for a chance at a new life. The romance is tempered by the violence surrounding them, forcing hard choices.

⚔️ Revenge

The Afghan family's quest for vengeance catalyzes much of the conflict, escalating danger and violence. The pursuit becomes a cycle where every action spawns a counteraction, drawing more characters into the fray. The theme examines how revenge reshapes identities and destinies.

🌊 Escape and Survival

The road trip across New South Wales is a test of wit, nerve, and endurance as Colin and Midori dodge pursuers. Survival hinges on improvisation, trust, and moment-to-moment decisions. The sea-side culmination amplifies the stakes, turning escape into a final test of will.

🧭 Pursuit and Consequence

Law enforcement and vengeful pursuers relentlessly close in, blurring lines between justice and vengeance. The chase exposes moral ambiguity and the heavy costs of the characters’ choices. Consequences reverberate through every decision they make on the road.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:19

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Unlock the Full Story of Heaven’s Burning

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Heaven’s Burning Summary

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Heaven’s Burning Summary

Heaven’s Burning Timeline

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Heaven’s Burning Timeline

Heaven’s Burning Spoiler-Free Summary

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Heaven’s Burning Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Heaven’s Burning

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More About Heaven’s Burning

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