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

Photos (see all 39 | slideshow) Videos (see all 4 NEW)
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) -- Trailerfan.com - Trailer (Flash)
Backdraft (1991) -- Sinematurk - Trailer (Flash)
Backdraft (1991) -- MyMovieScripts.com - Trailer (Flash)

Overview

User Rating:
6.6/10   26,483 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 8% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Ron Howard
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)
What if William Baldwin Never Left 'Thelma & Louise'?
 (From Cinematical. 28 September 2009, 2:15 PM, PDT)

Ron Howard Talks ‘The Strange Adventures of H.P. Lovecraft’
 (From Screen Rant. 25 September 2009, 12:37 PM, PDT)

User Comments:
A teary eyed romantic picture...for the guys. more (107 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
more
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Additional Details

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

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
The film's screenwriter, Gregory Widen, was a firefighter for three years before becoming a screenwriter. The film's basis is based upon the death of a friend in an actual backdraft. more
Goofs:
Revealing mistakes: In the garment factory fire when Brian goes off searching for a person, there is a drain on the floor and you can see the fuel the crew spread on the floor, the camera then cuts to a different angle and when it returns the fuel is on fire. more
Quotes:
[Rimgale and Brian crash Alderman Swayzak's press conference]
Donald 'Shadow' Rimgale: These detectives would like to question you on how come you paid Donald Cosgrove, Jeffrey Holcum and Allan Seagrave to create a phony manpower study!
[throws the files at the media, resulting in a barrage of questions]
Donald 'Shadow' Rimgale: [to the media] Ask him who made money off firemen dying!
more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in "Andy Barker, P.I.: Pilot (#1.1)" (2007) more
Soundtrack:
Balmoral more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
9 out of 13 people found the following comment useful.
A teary eyed romantic picture...for the guys., 18 January 1999
8/10
Author: Justin Purwitsky from Thornhill, Ontario, Canada

Backdraft, proves once again, that Ron Howard is one of Hollywood's major contenders. This time around he explores fire through technical wizardry.

The movie itself is a tad bit overdone, story wise, but the effects are absolutely astonishing. And the acting, by mostly everyone is fabulous. It takes a lot to outdo Robert De Niro, but Kurt Russell manages to do so, especially in the end sequence. And even better, William Baldwin shows he can act.

Rating = 8 of 10

Was the above comment useful to you?
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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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