IMDb > Backdraft (1991)
Backdraft
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Backdraft (1991) More at IMDbPro »

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Backdraft (1991) -- Two Chicago firefighter brothers who don't get along have to work together while a dangerous arsonist is on the loose.
Backdraft (1991) -- MyMovieScripts.com - Trailer (Flash)

Overview

User Rating:
6.6/10   26,576 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 6% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writer (WGA):
Gregory Widen (written by)
Contact:
View company contact information for Backdraft on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
24 May 1991 (USA) more
Tagline:
One breath of oxygen and it explodes in a deadly rage. more
Plot:
Two Chicago firefighter brothers who don't get along have to work together while a dangerous arsonist is on the loose. full summary | add synopsis
Awards:
Nominated for 3 Oscars. Another 1 win & 3 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(13 articles)
User Comments:
Good flick with mostly upside more (108 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Kurt Russell ... Stephen 'Bull' McCaffrey / Dennis McCaffrey

William Baldwin ... Brian McCaffrey

Robert De Niro ... Donald 'Shadow' Rimgale

Donald Sutherland ... Ronald Bartel

Jennifer Jason Leigh ... Jennifer Vaitkus

Scott Glenn ... John 'Axe' Adcox

Rebecca De Mornay ... Helen McCaffrey

Jason Gedrick ... Tim Krizminski

J.T. Walsh ... Alderman Marty Swayzak
Anthony Mockus Sr. ... Chief John Fitzgerald (as Tony Mockus Sr.)
Cedric Young ... Grindle
Juan Ramírez ... Ray Santos
Kevin Casey ... Nightingale

Jack McGee ... Schmidt
Mark Wheeler ... Pengelly
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Additional Details

MPAA:
Rated R for language and a scene of sensuality.
Runtime:
132 min | Canada:137 min (Ontario)
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
2.20 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Dolby (35 mm prints) | 70 mm 6-Track (QSound) (70 mm prints)

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Many of the extras in the film are actual Chicago firefighters. A casting call was put out in a Department memo prior to the start of shooting. In addition, many suburban firemen participated in the funeral procession. more
Goofs:
Continuity: The position of Brian's hands and arms when he is in the bar talking to the bartender right before Tim reads his station assignments. In one shot, they're holding the beer glass, in another shot, they're folded and in another shot, he's eating. more
Quotes:
Jennifer Vaitkus: We believe you're holding back on us, to embarass the Alderman because of his fire department cutbacks.
Donald 'Shadow' Rimgale: Alderman, I have an uncomplicated job: To determine if a fire is arson or not, and if so, to catch the son of a bitch doing it. And if my investigative methods happen to muck up the campaign of certain mayor wannabes, I gotta tell ya... I'm not gonna go losing any sleep over it.
more
Movie Connections:
Soundtrack:
Set Me In Motion more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
2 out of 3 people found the following comment useful.
Good flick with mostly upside, 17 March 2007
7/10
Author: drystyx from United States

This is an exciting story of firefighting brothers who conduct their own search for a very proficient arsonist who is targeting a group of people. The reason they are targeted is obvious to any movie goer, but in real life would not be at all evident, so you sit back and watch people put clues together. The younger brother is the central and most likable character in the movie (by the process of elimination). It is very reminiscent of a Japanese kung fu movie in the story of the brothers. A lot of characters are very badly written in order to make points, but that's acceptable in film making if the point is important enough. Sutherland and De Niro play two of the badly written characters, and portray the stereotypes they play too often: Sutherland as a psycho, and DeNiro as a superman is on top of everything and probably never had to sneeze in his life. Both of these actors are much better than this, and it is disheartening to see them take on the same role every movie, especially when they have proved themselves to be excellent actors in their early movies (Sutherland in THE DIRTY DOZEN, De Niro in BRAZIL, THE MISSION, and ONCE UPON A TIME IN America). Here, they have the same one dimension they have in all their movies of that ten year or so span. If you can get past the fact that the writers are incapable of creating identifiable characters, this is a very exciting and fun film.

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Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Backdraft (1991)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Release Hans Zimmer's Complete Score to Backdraft - Petition Jovovich_Fangirl
Foster Care, Relavtives, or Adcox? Jovovich_Fangirl
This movie was okay, but Kurt Russell . . . lovescooking
blu ray?? andrewshenk
Song at the Funeral (End of movie) czarkyky
What is the name of the song at the start of the movie? jesus_of_suburbia_77
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