Backdraft (1991)

User Rating:

6.6/10   

Director:

Ron Howard

Writer (WGA):

Gregory Widen (written by)

Release Date:

24 May 1991 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Crime | Drama | Mystery | Thriller

Tagline:

One breath of oxygen and it explodes in a deadly rage.

Plot:

Two Chicago firefighter brothers who don't get along have to work together while a dangerous arsonist is on the loose.

Plot Keywords:

Brothers | Firefighter | Fire | Arson | One Word Title

Awards:

Nominated for 3 Oscars. Another 1 win & 3 nominations

Cast

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

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

Sound Mix:

Dolby (35 mm prints) | 70 mm 6-Track (QSound) (70 mm prints)

Certification:

Portugal:M/12 | South Korea:15 | Argentina:13 | Australia:M | Chile:14 | Finland:K-14 | France:U | Germany:16 (w) | Iceland:14 (original rating) | Iceland:16 (video rating) | Singapore:PG | Spain:13 | Sweden:11 | UK:15 | USA:R | Canada:14A

Filming Locations:

Archer Avenue, Chicago, Illinois, USA

Company:

Imagine Films Entertainment

Trivia:

There are three arson victims, Donald Cosgrove, Alan Seagrave, and Jeffrey Holcomb. Cosgrove is after the real life Chicago Fireman/Author William Cosgrove who served as Robert De Niro's technical advisor for the movie. Seagrave is the name of a fire apparatus (fire and ladder truck) manufacturer. The firehouse where Engine 17 and Truck 46 were quartered is the real, in-service firehouse of the Chicago Fire dept's Engine 65 and Truck 52.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Brian McCaffrey climbs the ladder to the top of the chemical plant fire, the angle is so steep that he is required to use his arms to keep his balance. But, when he gets to the top, we see the angle of the ladder has been lowered.

Quotes:

Donald 'Shadow' Rimgale: In a word, Brian, what is this job all about?
Firefighter Brian McCaffrey: Fire.
Donald 'Shadow' Rimgale: It's a living thing, Brian. It breathes, it eats, and it hates. The only way to beat it is to think like it. To know that this flame will spread this way across the door and up across the ceiling, not because of the physics of flammable liquids, but because it wants to. Some guys on this job, the fire owns them, makes 'em fight it on it's level, but the only way to truly kill it is to love it a little. Just like Ronald.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "The Critic: L.A. Jay (#1.9)" (1994)

Soundtrack:

Nothing For You

A teary eyed romantic picture...for the guys.

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